Come-back Kids

E.J. Henderson isn't the only NFL-caliber collegian who chose to stay in school for 2002. Here are five others.

Mike Doss, S, Ohio State, Sr.
Thorpe Award semifinalist went with gut instinct, which may have been wise. Six defensive backs were drafted in the first round in April; Doss was projected as a second-rounder at best.

Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin, Sr.
After choosing to return to Madison, projected second-round pick tore left ACL in Badgers' spring game—on draft day. May be ready by Wisconsin's Oct. 5 Big 10 opener.

William Joseph, DT, Miami, Sr.
Third-team All-America and son of Haitian immigrants stayed to become first in his family to earn college degree. He's on track to receive liberal arts diploma after this semester.

Rex Grossman, QB, Florida, Jr.
Last year's Heisman runner-up was persuaded to come back after being assured Gators' offense would remain pass-oriented under new coach Ron Zook. His performance against Miami might cause some second-guessing.

Kelley Washington, WR, Tennessee, Soph.
Vols' leading receiver in '01 (64 catches, 1,010 yards) says he decided to stay after mother, Debbie, a nurse's aide in Stephens City, Va., told him she could afford for him to wait one more year. Says Washington, "It was a tough decision when you have a mother and you look in her eyes every night, and she's tired."