Football's Casey leaves Rice to enter NFL Draft

By Casey Michel     1/8/09 6:00pm

There is going to be a mammoth, Thor-sized hole at Rice Stadium next year. Sophomore James Casey, fresh off leading Rice to its first bowl victory since 1954, announced Monday that he will declare for the 2009 NFL Draft. "After talking long and hard with my wife, with my family, and looking at all the factors, I've decided to enter the draft this year," Casey, who sent in the preliminary draft papers on Dec. 2, said. "I've enjoyed every minute I've had here at Rice. I'll be a Rice Owl 'til the day I die."

He said the decision was possibly the most difficult of his life. However, with his family and age in mind - at 24, he is the oldest football player - Casey said he felt the decision is the right one for his position.

"If I was 19 years old, and not married, with no wife, it would be a lot different," he said. "I don't know how I'd react in that situation . A big factor [of the decision] is my age, and 24 is a lot different than 25.

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Since he signed in January 2007, Casey played in only two seasons with the Owls, a relatively short collegiate career that throws his achievements into an even greater light. At 6-4, 235 lbs., Casey ran roughshod over opposing defenses last season, compiling a Conference USA-record 111 receptions, good for second in the nation, and 1,329 total yards, placing him third on Rice's all-time list. The sophomore also earned a consensus All C-USA Team selection as well as All-American honors from Rivals.com and SportsIllustrated.com.

For a team already bracing for the loss of receiver Jarett Dillard and quarterback Chase Clement, the loss of Casey is a blow of equal, if not greater, magnitude. But if he is distressed, head coach David Bailiff is not letting on.

"Whatever that decision was going to be, we were going to celebrate it," said Bailiff, who was hired after Casey was recruited. "He is the greatest player I've ever been around, because of what he can do at so many positions offensively, what he did for us last year defensively, then to go pick up a javelin and score points for the track team [last spring]. He looked like that guy in 300. He's just the most amazing all-around athlete."

By entering the draft, Casey will be able to pursue another dream. The utility back was originally a right-handed pitcher, having been drafted by the Chicago White Sox and playing four professional seasons yet never cracking the major league roster. Now, Casey can achieve something he has wanted since childhood.

"I don't have any preference [where I'm drafted]," he said. "I'm just so happy to be given this opportunity. It's every little kid's dream to play in the NFL, so whatever they want me to do, I'm more than willing to do."

The question now turns to where Casey will get drafted. If rumors are to be believed, the 24-year-old's talent should land him as a first-day selection, meaning he will get picked somewhere in the first or second round. Granted, much stands between now and the April 25 draft, including the NFL Combine and Pro Day, where Casey will once again showcase his talents at Rice Stadium.

If he is selected, Casey can be expected to finally land at a single position. From safety to quarterback to centerpiece of the "Thor Package," Casey has jumped around the gridiron more than his fair share these two seasons.

"Just given each individual team, [the position] is going to be different," he said. "Some teams might see me as a tight end or an H-back, but that's just each individual team. Some of them might have in mind what they might like, but that's out of my control."

With only 29 credit hours remaining in an Economics-Sport Management - Managerial Studies triple major, Casey could feasibly finish his degree before training camp opens. However, Casey says he plans to take his graduation a little more slowly.

"I for sure, 100 percent positive, am going to graduate from Rice University," Casey said. "I think it's best for me next semester to not take it completely off but take a light load here at Rice just so I can focus on training .... I'm going to put in six to nine hours here, then I'm going to come back as soon as possible and finish everything."

According to Bailiff, Casey is just the type of person who could really achieve comprehensive academic and athletic success.

"He's completely driven in everything he does, and I mean this: In 30 or 40 years, we will have a Casey Academic Center or a Casey Endzone Facility because that's the type of life he is going to lead," he said.

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