Thursday, January 10, 2002
Jones unaware While reports continue that Hawaii junior wide receiver Ashley Lelie has decided to leave school and enter April's NFL Draft, Lelie himself had not confirmed it as of last night, and had not told the Warriors coaching staff about his plans.
of Lelie’s plans
The UH star has been spotted
working out with other prospects,
adding to speculation that
he'll enter the draftBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut Larry Goeas, a former UH player who works closely with the Priority Sports Management sports agency, said he is almost certain Lelie has applied for the draft.
"I've heard it from two very reliable sources," Goeas told the Star-Bulletin. "Also, someone called me from Atlanta saying he saw Ashley working out with other prospects."
Goeas said he thinks Lelie may have been working out for Octagon Sports, an agency which has the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick, the first-round pick of last year's draft, as a client.
"I wish the best for Ashley," Goeas said. "He's a quality person and athlete."
Lelie returned to Hawaii last week but left Monday to return to South Carolina, where his parents live. Lelie discussed his situation with Warriors coach June Jones before returning to the mainland.
On Monday morning, Lelie told the Star-Bulletin he was close to announcing a decision, but after talking with Jones in the afternoon said he was "right down the middle" on whether to return to school or turn pro.
Jones declined comment yesterday, other than saying that Lelie hadn't decided anything when they last spoke on Monday.
The deadline to enter the draft is tomorrow.
If Lelie is associating with an agency, it is likely he is turning pro. But it is still possible he hasn't lost his amateur status.
"He can work out for them as long as he's not receiving money, or benefits, not even car rides," Goeas said. "But unless he's been doing everything on his own nickel, he's signed, sealed and delivered."
Lelie said the NFL has evaluated him as a likely second-round draft pick. But several variables could change that.
Florida receivers Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell, and possibly Taylor Jacobs, are expected to make themselves available for the draft. If Louisiana State's Josh Reed comes out early, too, the draft will be receiver rich, affecting the receiver's riches.
Also, since Lelie is a relative unknown, his performance at the NFL combine could drastically move him up or down come draft day.
On paper, Lelie is a top commodity. At 6-feet-2 and 190 pounds, he is big for the position. He is also among the fastest in the draft, having been timed under 4.3 seconds in the 40. Among those officially in the draft as of Wednesday, only Utah (and former Campbell High School) player Cliff Russell has been timed faster.
In three seasons, Lelie became UH's career leader in receptions (194), receiving yards (3,341) and touchdown catches (32). He was named third-team All-American and first-team All-Western Athletic Conference and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
All-Pro Scouting Services Web site reported Tuesday that Lelie "is likely to enter the 2002 draft. A source close to Lelie said that the wide receiver has thought long and hard and consulted family, friends, his coaches and NFL personnel and now he feels he is ready to go to the NFL."
APSS projects him as a possible first-round pick.
Warriors receivers coach Ron Lee said he had not heard anything from Lelie as of last night. He said he will consider it a bonus if Lelie decides to return to UH. Lee pointed out that the Warriors lose four of their top five receivers if Lelie goes to the NFL, but he also said he wants the player to make the decision that is best for him and his family.
"I think it was really tough for him," Lee said. "With the kind of year he had, most guys would be gone, no problem. But he really enjoys the college atmosphere and playing football for us."
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