All-American Selvie will return for senior year

Think of it as the biggest recruit USF could get for 2009: All-American defensive end George Selvie said Wednesday that he will return for his senior year and not make an early entry to the NFL Draft.

Selvie, who had been projected in mock drafts as a first-round draft pick, submitted his name to the NFL's advisory board for underclassmen and was told he was unlikely to be selected in the draft's first three rounds.

"It wasn't as high as I thought I might go, so I'd rather just wait another year, work on getting bigger and stronger and see what happens," Selvie said. "It's definitely going to be some motivation for me. I thought I had a good year, getting injured, getting triple-teamed and still getting five sacks."

Selvie said USF coach Jim Leavitt had encouraged him to enter the draft if he were projected as a first-round pick, and to strongly consider doing so if projected a second-rounder. Selvie said he wants to add 10 pounds to his 240-pound frame this offseason and show that he can play through the double-teams he often faced from opposing offenses.

"(A first-round projection) probably would have done it," Selvie said. "Going in the first round, I could take care of my family for the rest of my life. Coming back, I feel like we can go out and win. We lost a lot of experience on offense and defense, but the seniors like me and Matt (Grothe), this is our time to lead now."

Selvie said he will take out an insurance policy through the NCAA to guard against a career-ending injury, as he did before the 2008 season. He's on course to graduate this summer with a degree in communications.

Comments

[Ken]

Sounds as though George is going to be wanting to show them next year--that's going to be great (for us)!

[Reality]

I cannot believe he is a 3rd round pick. He is an ABSOLUTE steal. Selvie is dominating! This is a JOKE. Glad he is back, but the NFL should be ashamed.

[David Weber]

I'm surprised the NFL advisory board didn't like his speed and motor. He's just so much like Dwight Freeney. It might be the ankle that scared them, or the production drop.

If he's healthy and still as quick at 250, Selvie will have a monster year and find himself in the first round.

I wonder if he knew about the FSU deal. A kid from the panhandle would probably love to show FSU what they missed on firsthand.

[561]

Yes!!! AND IT COUNTS!!!!!!!!

[Norb]

Definitely great all around. Also nice to hear too that he'll have his degree before fall season starts.

I've always wondered about the NCAA insurance policies. Now that he's projected as a 3rd round pick, does his max insurance coverage drops from what it was when it looked like he'd be 1st round pick?

[JT (Atlanta)]

Best for everyone involved. I'm curious about whether Coach Burnham will experiment more with Selvie as a "roving linebacker." It didn't work that well this year when they tried it, but with a summer to work on it that can change. It would keep offenses from being able to game plan on him so much, and hit would help Selvie's NFL potential as a possible LB.

On the other hand, it might not be necessary if Selvie stays healthy. The D-line should be a strength next year so Selvie should get more help from his linemates too, leaving the gimmicks for the offense.

[Steve O'Neal]

Good decision. Whatever the reason, last year was not an overly impressive one for George. He definitely will benefit from another yr of college ball and gaining weight. Losing coach McCarney last yr didn't help our D-line play either.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Guy isn't big enough yet.
Best thing that ever happened to him.

He needs to be able to beat double teams. All the long term studs can do it.

[greg budzban]

Huge news. I suddenly feel much better about next year's chances.

[Genius]

Does that insurance policy cover injuries caused by Under Armour shoes?

Great. This guy really has his head on straight.

[Tom]

Great news here.

[matt]

Wow. good for him. Better for us.