Mcnair-to-Calico

Vols' Meachem going to NFL
Receiver to give up final year for draft

By CHRIS LOW
Staff Writer

Tennessee's Robert Meachem has decided the next football he plays will be in the NFL.

The Vols' record-setting receiver plans to give up his senior season and will enter his name in the NFL draft.


Meachem notified coaches, teammates and others at UT on Thursday of his decision. He wasn't available for comment, and family members at his Tulsa, Okla., home said he needed to be the one to discuss his plans to turn pro.

It's unclear whether Meachem has signed or entered into any kind of agreement with an agent. As long as he doesn't sign with an agent and doesn't accept any money, he has until Jan. 19 to pull his name out of the draft and return to school. The deadline for underclassmen to file their paperwork with the NFL for early entry is Jan. 15.

Meachem told several people Thursday that he plans to train in Arizona for the NFL combine in February, an indication that he's strongly considering getting an agent if he hasn't already.

Meachem said in December that he wanted assurances that he would be a first-round pick before he would give up his final season. His grade from the NFL draft advisory board ranged from late first round to early second round.

Mike Detillier, a longtime NFL draft analyst, has said that he thinks Meachem could go somewhere between picks 20 and 30 in the first round.

"Physically, Robert's exactly what the NFL is looking for in a receiver, a big kid who can run," Detillier said. "One thing that's really noticeable is his ability to make something happen after the catch. I think he has a chance to go as high as the third overall receiver."

Meachem's draft status also will depend on whether other junior receivers such as Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson, Ohio State's Ted Ginn and Southern Cal's Dwayne Jarrett decide to come out early.

Meachem set the Vols' single-season record with 1,298 receiving yards last season. He caught 71 passes, including 11 touchdowns.

He said following the Vols' Outback Bowl loss that he would make a decision after consulting with his family and said that he hadn't even thought about it at that point.

__________________

"If you guys don’t want to win then you need to get out of the huddle."
-- Vince Young during the Giants game



Thanks to Havoc for this sweet SIG

mouse

ONE OF THE MOST UNDER RATED PLAYERS IMO.

__________________

BEAR DOWN.......... AND WHILE YOU'RE DOWN THERE.....

SDOGO

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mouse @ Jan 5th ) [snapback]1847446[/snapback]</div>

Really? I have never been much impressed with him. After watching him get shut down by Justin King who struggled big time against other considered top WR's I figured he would return.

__________________

Mcnair-to-Calico

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SDOGO @ Jan 5th ) [snapback]1847549[/snapback]</div>the only time Meachem really gets shut down is if they are able to double team him or as penn state did double and triple team him

__________________

"If you guys don’t want to win then you need to get out of the huddle."
-- Vince Young during the Giants game



Thanks to Havoc for this sweet SIG

TitanFan

Will be a big time riser. Penn State shut him down cos the Vols had no other playmakers to key and the running game was a joke.

__________________

SDOGO

I don't know, I'm not basing my opinion on the PSU game alone. He just has never impressed me. Would not be the first time I was wrong.

__________________

imported_dirtbag

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SDOGO @ Jan 5th ) [snapback]1847549[/snapback]</div>
Agreed if anything I think he's one of the more overrated players.

__________________
I <3 Santana Moss in the most heterosexually way possible.

Danger Mouse Is my hero.

DJ Boyer

I think this is a good move.......I like him but I don;t think he is a guarenteed first rounder...a little risky

imported_MANNING-TO-SHOCKEY

Meachem is going to be a stud in the NFL