NEW ORLEANS -- Tom Zbikowski might want to consider a boxing
career. Jeff Samardzija could trade his shoulder pads for a bat and
glove. JaMarcus Russell has a chance to be one of the top players
taken in the NFL draft -- or he could go into next season as a
leading contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Decisions, decisions.
After Wednesday night's Sugar Bowl, several players from both
LSU and Notre Dame will have to take a good, hard look at their
future plans. It was hard for players such as Tigers defensive
tackle Glenn Dorsey to stay focused on the game when they'll soon
be deciding, or at least announcing, whether they'll go pro.
"People are always asking me about it," said Dorsey, a
299-pound junior who ranked third in tackles on one of the nation's
top defensive teams despite constant double-teaming. "I guess it's
a good problem to have. I can't say I'm complaining about it. But
you try to stay focused on the task at hand."
Same with Russell, LSU's star quarterback and another NFL
prospect. It would be hard to put up much better numbers than he
did during this regular season, when he completed nearly 69 percent
of his throws, ranked third in the NCAA in passing efficiency and
accounted for 26 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.
Then again, if Russell returns for his senior season, he would
be well positioned to make a run at both a national championship
AND the Heisman, which would surely enhance his draft prospects
even more in 2008.
"In the pros, they throw a lot of different things at you,"
said Russell, who insists that he hasn't made up his mind. "If
you're not ready for that, there's no need going."
Jimbo Fisher, the Tigers' offensive coordinator and a close
confidante, will meet with Russell to discuss the pros but said the
decision will largely be made by the player and his family.
"When you talk to a kid and the first thing out of his mouth is
money, then you know it's going to be a driving factor," Fisher
said. "JaMarcus isn't speaking like that. His family isn't
speaking like that. There's talk about him winning the Heisman next
year. There's talk that he could help us win a national
championship. He's got to evaluate many issues, but money hasn't
crossed his lips."
Zbikowski is a senior at Notre Dame, but since he didn't play as
a freshman (a redshirt year at most schools, but the Fighting Irish
don't call it that), he can apply to the school for a fifth season.
Then there's his other passion: boxing. Zbikowski started
throwing punches when he was 9-years-old and made his professional
boxing debut last June with a 49-second, first-round knockout of
Robert Bell at Madison Square Garden.
Zbikowski doesn't know if he will box professionally again, but
said he plans to remain active in the sport.
"I'll always be watching it. I'll probably be in the gym," he
said. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to fight again or
what's going on."
Samardzija is another two-sport athlete, playing both baseball
and football at Notre Dame.
The pitcher-slash-receiver was a fifth-round draft pick of the
Chicago Cubs last year, but he also led the Fighting Irish with 70
catches for 958 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season.
"I was hoping by now I would be somewhere with my decision,"
Samardzija said, managing a tormented grin. "But I'm just
backpedaling right now. I'm not going anywhere with it. I really
don't know."
He'll play in the Senior Bowl, trying to get a better idea of
his prospects in the NFL draft. And there's always a chance to he
could keep playing both sports professionally, assuming he lands
with an NFL team that would be willing to let him play minor-league
baseball during the offseason.
"I love both sports. I love doing both," Samardzija said.
"It's hard to ask someone to give one of them up. I guess I'm
being kind of selfish."
Zbikowski is among several Notre Dame players who must decide
whether to turn pro or return for a fifth season, joining tight end
John Carlson, center John Sullivan, defensive tackle Trevor Laws
and linebacker Travis Thomas.
The players aren't the only ones who might have to make a tough
call. Fisher has been linked to several coaching jobs that would
take him away from Baton Rouge, where he's been for seven years.
"Anytime you have success as a program, you're going to have
opportunities," he said. "I've told everyone that if they're
interested in me, talk to me after the bowl."