New Arizona State football coach Todd Graham’s job just got a whole lot harder.
Quarterback Brock Osweiler announced Friday afternoon that will forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL Draft. Osweiler released a statement through ASU but did not schedule a press conference.
"It was an exceptionally difficult decision to make," Osweiler wrote, "but having spoken to my family and close friends it became clear to me that this is the next path I must take to advance my personal and professional career."
Friday’s decision was an about-face from when Osweiler indicated after the regular season that he was likely to return — even in the wake of former coach Dennis Erickson’s firing. He has thus far declined media interviews, but the loss of offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone might have been a factor in his decision.
Osweiler had hoped ASU would retain Mazzone after Erickson’s firing, but Mazzone eventually took the same position at UCLA on new coach Jim L. Mora’s staff. Osweiler broke down in tears when discussing Mazzone's influence on him after the Las Vegas Bowl.
"It's been everything," he said of the relationship. "I wouldn't be sitting here today if it wasn't for him. It hurts for him to leave."
There was also the challenge of learning a new system and new terminology in his senior season, as well as significant turnover among the offensive line and receiving corps.
As a junior last season, Osweiler became the first QB in school history to eclipse the 4,000-yard passing mark in his first full season as the starter. He completed 326 of 516 passes for 4,036 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
“He means a lot to this program,” senior linebacker Brandon Magee said
Thursday. “You see what he did last year. He put up big stats and was a
great leader for our offense.”
With Osweiler gone, ASU has only sophomores Mike Bercovici and Taylor Kelly and redshirt freshman Michael Eubank as QBs. Bercovici and Eubank were highly touted recruits, but they have virtually no experience. Bercovici and Kelly combined for seven attempts last season.
“He’s got to do what’s best for his future,” Magee said of Osweiler. “I’d love to have him back ... but a team is more than one guy. We’ve got some other quarterbacks who can play.”
