Warriors’ Leonard also mulling options

June Jones isn't the only member of the Hawaii football program facing a weighty decision on his future.

Junior linebacker Adam Leonard said he will likely take until the Jan. 15 deadline to decide whether to return to UH for his senior season or enter the NFL Draft.

"I'm just going to sit down with my parents and different people involved that can help with the decision," Leonard said.

Leonard said he received a grade from the NFL advisory committee, but won't disclose the rating. He added that whether Jones returns to Manoa for his 10th season as head coach would factor into the process, but "it's not the deciding factor" he said.

"It'll weigh in a little bit not knowing if the coaching staff is still going to be together," Leonard said.

Leonard started all 13 games this season at outside linebacker and finished second on the team with 105 total tackles, 11.5 for losses. He tied for the team lead with four interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. He was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference first team this season coming off a second-team selection as a sophomore.

As of yesterday evening, Leonard was among those around the state in wait-and-see mode as Jones contemplated offers from SMU and UH. He said the head coach told some of the players the situation might arise when they returned to Honolulu from New Orleans on Wednesday following the Warriors' Sugar Bowl loss to Georgia.

"He spoke to some of the players and he told us his options and he would take four or five days to think about this decision in his life," Leonard said.

Warriors receiver Davone Bess declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft last week and signed with an agent.

Another junior slotback, Ryan Grice-Mullins, might also declare for the draft.