Jaelen Strong Still Deciding On NFL Future

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) reacts as he leaves the field following the game against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the deadline for prospects to declare for the NFL Draft less than a month away, Jaelen Strong’s future still remains unclear.

Arizona State head coach Todd Graham said earlier this week that his star receiver still hasn’t made a decision on whether he’ll skip his senior season and make the jump to the NFL.

"“Give guys a chance to make a decision. No one’s made a decision to do anything. Everybody’s assuming somebody’s going to go,” Graham said."

To say that Strong had a fantastic junior campaign would be putting it mildly. Along with his teammate Demarious Randle, Strong received second-team All-American honors from Sports Illustrated.

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The 6-foot-3, 215 pound redshirt junior led the Sun Devils in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Throughout the season, the young receiver from Philadelphia made some remarkable catches, including a great leaping grab against USC in the last second to give the Devils the win.

Most draft mocks have Strong as a borderline first round pick. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper gives Strong a second round grade who could move up to the first round if he runs well in pre-draft workouts and at the combine. Some scouts have compared Strong to the Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints because of his size and his great hands.

This has to be a tough decision for Strong. If he were a guaranteed top 10 pick, he would be a lock to leave Tempe and go to the pros, but because there’s no guarantee that he’s even a first round pick, I think there’s somewhat of a chance that Strong returns for his senior season.

If I were in his shoes, I would come back and there’s a lot of reason in doing so.

With all the talent returning on offense and with a young, improving defense, the Sun Devils should be contenders yet again in the Pac-12 South. If he has another season like he did in 2014, it should only improve Strong’s draft stock and make him a surefire first rounder come May 2016.

Of course, there’s always that important factor of him finishing his degree too. If something does happen to him injury wise or if doesn’t make it in the NFL, Strong would always have that degree to fall back on.

We will find out in the coming weeks on what Strong decides. Sun Devils fans everywhere will sure be keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that Strong puts on that ASU jersey for one more season.