An envelope from the NFL Draft Advisory Board is awaiting South Carolina wide receiver Bruce Ellington at his home, but the Gamecocks' standout football and basketball player doesn't want to be distracted by its contents.
In fact, Ellington has instructed his parents not to open the letter containing his NFL draft evaluation, according to gogamecocks.com.
"I want to wait and see it myself," Ellington said. "If it comes up that I want to make that decision to go the NFL, then I am going to have to talk to (South Carolina basketball) Coach (Frank) Martin and make that decision."
As South Carolina's starting point guard in basketball, Ellington's decision impacts Martin much more immediately than football coach Steve Spurrier. Ellington averaged 10 points per game last season in basketball, and briefly played with the basketball team in the interim between the end of South Carolina's football regular season and its bowl preparations.
Although Ellington declined to say what draft grade would compel him to turn pro early, he indicated Saturday that he's prepared to make the jump. And it sounds as though he would favor draft preparation and performance training over playing basketball, if his decision is to enter the draft.
"I am just waiting on my papers right now. If it says pretty good, I am going to talk to (Martin) and tell him I want to go if there's a chance I can leave," Ellington said. "I am just thinking about it right now."
Ellington has caught 83 passes for 1,235 yards over the last two seasons at South Carolina. The deadline for underclassmen to declare draft eligibility is Jan. 15. South Carolina is set to face Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1.
Gogamecocks.com also reported that starting offensive tackles Brandon Shell and Corey Robinson filed for feedback from the NFLDAB as well, though according to Shell, both plan to return to school.
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