Blue White Illustrated

It's all about the second contract. At this point, it's become almost cliche, as underclassmen in college football con- template their professional future. Should they stay or go? With the restructuring of the NFL's rookie wage scale in 2011, first-round draft picks no longer make the kind of immediate money that they once did. For example, quarterback Baker May- field's $32 million last year wasn't even half of what Sam Bradford earned eight years prior, although they were both picked No. 1 overall. Now, as each selec- tion passes, the salary cap gradually de- creases. By the third round last year, players were no longer guaranteed even $1 million up front. On the surface, that trend might seem to offer an incentive for players to stay in school. In reality, it's had the oppo- site effect. In 2018, a record number of players with eligibility remaining de- clared early for the draft. Not all of them were selected, but almost all of them were given a chance to make a roster – and that's all most of them were seeking. Gone are the days when rookies re- ceived set-for-life financial windfalls. Want that big payout? These days, you're going to need patience, and you're also going to need to stay healthy. The big money goes to the players who stick around beyond that three- or four- year rookie contract. For many players who are destined for the pros, the goal is to get to that second contract as soon as possible, even if that means bypassing a year or two of college football in order to avoid additional wear and tear. Penn State will bid farewell to 21 sen- iors when it faces Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl, but there are also a few juniors who have decisions to make as to whether this will be their last college game. That list includes the following players: RYAN BATES There are a limited num- ber of offensive line positions on a 53- man pro roster, so versatility is a valuable attribute as far as NFL coaches are concerned. Bates, who has been in school for four years, has started at left and right tackle and also at left guard. He even practiced at center early in his career and has been on scouts' radar since he started as a redshirt freshman. JUWAN JOHNSON At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Johnson has an NFL physique. Before the season, the redshirt junior wide receiver seemed like a surefire pick to leave early. But his junior year has been plagued by injuries and dropped passes, and his return seems all but as- sured. CONNOR McGOVERN It's rare that an offensive lineman in only his third year of college football exits early, but it's also rare for a lineman to start as a true freshman – and that's just what McGov- ern did. He, too, has displayed versatil- ity, playing both guard and center. In November, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. ranked McGovern as the No. 1 draft- eligible guard in the country. McGovern said earlier this month that he plans to make his decision after the bowl game. He was one of several juniors who met with coach James Franklin the day after the Nittany Lions' final regu- lar-season game against Maryland to talk about the NFL. "He brought me and my family in, had discussions, updated us on the process," McGovern said. "And then, it's just [a matter of] keeping him updated on everything going on. [That's] where we're at." SHAREEF MILLER When Miller takes the field for the Citrus Bowl, it will be his 40th college game, and he has made an impact in all of them. Having never missed a game, has Miller reached his full potential and shown that he's ready to get paid? Or would he benefit from another year in college? Miller said he has already made a deci- sion, but he doesn't plan to reveal it until after the bowl. He needs only an intern- ship to graduate in May, and he's already talking about what he wants his Penn State legacy to be if the Citrus Bowl turns out to be his last game. "I just want Penn State fans to remember me as a guy who gave everything he's got, who was real passionate, who loved to win," Miller said. "Coming where I come from, having that support from Penn State fans and the community and the people – that was real great. So I just want them to remember me for that, just being a great person and a great player and a great teammate." MILES SANDERS Sanders hasn't even finished his first season as a starter, but he has established himself as the most pro- ductive draft-eligible running back in the Big Ten this year, and Kiper ranks him No. 6 at the position. A year ago, 13 running backs were selected in the first four FOOTBALL Contingent of juniors expected to mull NFL Draft options A SHOW OF FORCE Miller pressures quar- terback Brian Lewerke during Penn State's game against Michigan State. The junior de- fensive end has seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season. Photo by Steve Manuel

• Cover