I'd tell him no. Discuss...
If he does not care about the all-time sacks record, I would tell him not to play.
If he wants it, then yes. Dixon played in bowl game his senior year (he was also fighting for TD record with Navy QB).
Too much to lose and almost nothing to gain.
That said, I bet he plays.
The all-time sack record is worth something for him. If he gets it, makes it that much easier for a team to pick a player in the early rounds from a smaller school. As a defensive end probably less chance of injury than some other positions. Bet he plays but would never blame him for sitting it out.
Of course he should play.
He'll play. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't.
Should? You act like not playing would be a bad move.
More and more future NFL guys are skipping these meaningless bowl games to protect future MILLIONS.
Some have pointed out that the sack record would mean something to his future. I'm not sure. I think he has already made his case with the NFL scouts. IMO,the sack record now is a personal thing.
If he is a first rounder, hell no he should not play. Got to the NFL and earn a life changing 2nd contract.
If he is not projected round 1, go to Hawaii and break the damn record.
I agree he should play. He is a projected mid-round pick. Sack record is still out there. A good showing in the bowl game could improve his draft status. He also needs to play in one of the "all-star" type games where tons of pro scouts and coaching staffs are evaluating players. He needs to work on the skills evaluated at the combine. He can make lots of money between now and the draft.
Ok - thanks - I don’t follow NFL draft projections. I will say, that seems a bit low for his potential.
All that said, he should play if that is where he is grading our with the pro scouts.
So....we are to believe that someone like Ferguson, who has played....started???....for 4 years and that means has played in 50 games, will all of sudden!!! have some extra risk of an injury in this last game. Well, in that case, skip the Senior Bowl too, and OMG! don't you dare go near the NFL Combine, might get hurt there too.
Another thing EFF YOU! and that is aimed at any player, like LSU's Greedy Williams....talk about an appropriate name!... who puts their own selfishness ahead of the team's. All these years, all those practices on hot/humid days, your teammates, most of whom will never see an NFL contract, have toiled just so there would even be a team. And on gamedays, those same guys were busting their butts, risking injuries, some of them serious, like concussions that will have lifelong ramifications, just so YOU (and YOU = all those guys being considered by the NFL) would have a sport that will now pay off handsomely for YOU. And how do YOU repay them? Leave 'em hanging....
I hope any player who does this to their teammates, to their school, to the fans/supporters of those schools, trip and suffer a career ending injury on the same day your former team is playing in that bowl. That would be the ultimate in poetic justice. Hear ya got hurt? Oh, too bad, wouldn't have happened had you'd been with us that day. So sad, so sorry. Chump!
Disclaimer: this is not aimed at Jaylon Ferguson, who, all we know, plans to play and hasn't even considered sitting it out. But, this thread was started, and I have a considerable opinion on the matter....as you might can tell.
One more thing...it is also possible for a player to enhance his draft status by shining in the bowl game. ESPN will be all over it...with their Plays of the Day, and hawking a great game, NUMBERS/STATS, from one of their televised bowl games. I think Trent Taylor enhanced his draft status with that awesome display vs. Navy.
Just something to consider....especially for someone so close to setting an historic record.
Ferguson's character would not be in question if he decided not to play in this meaningless game that we are sure to lose. The sack record is the only question. The senior bowl is where he will be graded out AGAIN. He'll get some good ink if he gets 3 or more sacks. Otherwise it is a nice trip for him that he deserves to experience.
He already has insurance, he is not going in the first round, so go break the record!