Over the weekend, Kelly reportedly received his paperwork back from the NFL's College Advisory Committee, with an indication that he is projected as a second-round draft pick.

Other Sooners, including linebacker Curtis Lofton and offensive lineman Duke Robinson, are also weighing their futures. The early entry deadline for underclassmen is Jan. 15. But they have a 72-hour window after that during which they can withdraw themselves from consideration and retain their college eligibility.

Kelly said last week OU coaches had guessed he likely would be a third- or fourth-round pick if he came out this year. The 6-foot-4, 217-pound Kelly, though, figured he might be a first-rounder.

"I think I'm ready. I think I am," Kelly said. "But if the grade comes back and says I'm not, I'm going to trust that more than my own judgment. Coaches, they think I'm a third- or fourth-round guy. They think I can up my stock a little bit if next year if I come back next year. (If so), then I'll come back."

The College Advisory Committee is comprised of 12 NFL general managers/personnel directors and directors of the NFL's two scouting combines.

It is a general assessment of a player's draft potential, and is considered the best estimate of where a given player has the highest potential of being drafted. Kelly, though, reportedly told SoonerScoop.com that he was informed that almost every junior gets a grade of 2 or lower.

The NCAA reports that between 1994 and 2006, a total of 864 underclassmen were evaluated by the committee, and 64 percent didn't enter the draft.

Kelly, who played only one series in the Fiesta Bowl because of a thigh injury, had a fast start to his junior season, catching 12 passes for 307 yards and seven touchdowns in OU's first three games. He caught five passes for 105 yards and a TD against Texas, then had just 27 receptions for 367 yards and two TDs in the final seven games.

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com