MORGANTOWN -
It should not have come as a big surprise, but West Virginia
University redshirt-junior wide receiver Stedman Bailey will not return for his
senior season. He has decided to enter his name in the 2013 NFL draft.
"It was hard thinking about it," Bailey stated. "I do have
another year here and I would like to do all I can to help those guys next
year, but this is the best decision for me."
Bailey has put together two spectacular seasons. He was one
of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award presented to the nation's top
receiver. Bailey has 106 receptions for 1,501 yards and 23 touchdowns this
year.
Bailey holds the school record for receiving touchdowns with
39 and is at or near the top of many other categories as well.
"At this point, my stock
probably couldn't get much higher," Bailey stated. "There will be a new
quarterback next year, Tavon will not be there on the field and that could just
have defenses keying on me and covering me and just worrying about covering me
and that probably could have my numbers go down from what I did this year. That
did play a role as well."
Quarterback Geno Smith and Inside Receiver Tavon Austin will
be gone next season. That means Bailey would be catching passes from someone
different. He also would see more double and triple-coverage without Austin on
the field at the same time. Their departure also entered Bailey's mind when
deciding to leave early.
"Those are my buddies," Bailey smiled. "We came in together.
I developed a great relationship with Tavon and already knew Geno. The fact
that those guys won't be here, which would be a whole lot different. I feel it
is only right that I go out with them."
Underclassmen can file paperwork with the NFL to see where
scouts project they will go in the draft. Bailey said his paperwork indicated
he would be a third round pick.
"Just to be drafted period is a huge blessing," Bailey
said. "Seeing that made me happy, but of course I would like to go higher."
How can Bailey go higher? It will be determined by his
performance at the NFL combine. He will need to test well and interview well
with potential employers.
"I know that will tie into things like the combine,"
Bailey said. "I will look forward to the offseason to perform as best I can at
the combine, which would help me go higher."
Bailey will leave WVU after the Pinstripe Bowl and begin
his offseason preparation for the NFL combine. First, he and the rest of his
teammates look to close out the season with a win over Syracuse.
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