NFL draft decisions could alter landscape in 2007

	Ohio State speedster Ted Ginn Jr. is projected as a top-10 pick, which means that the BCS title game is likely his last as a Buckeye. John Biever/SI
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As the nation's top teams go through bowl preparations over the next couple weeks, many of their star players are wrestling with another challenge: Deciding whether or not to enter next year's NFL draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 15, just one week after the Ohio State-Florida national championship game, which means most of the players in question, along with their coaches, have already begun researching their prospective draft positions.

In the case of teams like the top-ranked Buckeyes and No. 3 Michigan, the number of players in question is so high that their decisions could go a long way toward determining the rankings next season. Below is a look at several top-10 teams that will be most affected by the underclass rush, as well as the projected fate of several other prominent players around the country.

Ohio State

Potential early draft entrants: WR Ted Ginn Jr., WR Anthony Gonzalez, RB Antonio Pittman, T Kirk Barton.

Outlook: Ginn, a projected top-10 pick, is as good as gone. Gonzalez has said he'd prefer to return to Columbus but may ultimately conclude his stock will never be higher than it is now. Pittman also wants to come back but may be smart to go this year when the running back class is notably weak (whereas next year's could be stacked if rising juniors Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton and Ian Johnson enter the mix). Barton is testing the waters but will likely be back.

Impact: Gonzalez is the key guy here. OSU's passing game was already going to take a step back with Troy Smith graduating and Ginn likely bolting. If Gonzalez goes, too, it would be slim pickings for Ohio State's new QB (at this point it looks like Todd Boeckman). Losing a 1,171-yard rusher (Pittman) wouldn't be ideal, either, but the Buckeyes are in better shape here with the return of stud frosh Chris "Beanie" Wells.

Florida

Potential early draft entrants: S Reggie Nelson, WR Andre Caldwell, LB Brandon Siler, DE Jarvis Moss.

Outlook: Nelson, a first team All-America, and Caldwell, the Gators' second-leading receiver, are sure bets to bolt if projected to go in the top two rounds. Nelson is more certain of that than Caldwell. Siler, a borderline first-rounder, is up in the air. It could come down to whether he has a big bowl game. Moss only became a starter this season and would benefit from another year.

Impact: The Gators' highly-ranked defense is already losing six senior starters and will have some serious rebuilding to do if Nelson and Siler leave. The guess here is that Siler, a team co-captain with a 3.8 GPA, returns. Moss' return would ensure a solid pass rush. Losing Caldwell would be a big blow to UF's receiving corps, which already loses seniors Dallas Baker and Jemalle Cornelius.

Michigan

Potential early draft entrants: DT Alan Branch, T Jake Long, QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, LB Shawn Crable.

Outlook: Long, a projected first-rounder, Henne and Hart have already announced they're coming back. It's hard to imagine Branch will return. He's likely to be the first defensive tackle selected -- and a possible top-five pick -- if he comes out. There's been no word yet from Crable, but he's not currently projected to go in the first round and could be the star of UM's defense if he returns.

Impact: The return of Long, Henne Hart ensures Michigan's offense -- which also brings back WRs Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington -- will be absolutely loaded. The defense, on the other hand, is already graduating three All-Americas (DE LaMarr Woodley, LB David Harris and CB Leon Hall). Branch's departure would make it four.