The NFL can wait.
That can be a difficult message to get through the mind of a highly touted underclassman, but USC quarterback Cody Kessler is making the attempt, anyway. The junior told KFWB-AM's "The Home Team" that he'll try to convince the Trojans' top underclassmen to return to school next year and try to improve on what has already become a three-loss season.
"We have a lot of underclassmen that are really athletic and have been playing together for a long time, and have really gotten to know each other," Kessler said. "We'll all obviously talk about it when decision time comes. My goal right now is to make sure everybody comes back next year. That's where my mind is at right now. I want to make sure everybody comes back so we can be successful."
That could be an awfully difficult task where defensive lineman Leonard Williams is concerned. Williams is considered one of college football's elite prospects, but has yet to announce whether he plans to enter the 2015 NFL Draft. An AFC scout recently told College Football 24/7 that Williams reminds him of former New England Patriots star Richard Seymour.
"Obviously I'm going to try to make everyone stay, and do everything I can, especially Leonard, but at the end of the day I'm going to respect everyone's decision and whatever everyone does."
Another Trojans underclassman who could have a strong opportunity to declare early is wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
At the very least, it sounds as though Trojans fans can expect the quarterback himself, who has thrown 25 touchdown passes to just two interceptions, to return to USC in 2015.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
