Spring Break
Projections show Stafford, Moreno top picks in NFL draft
TYLER ESTEP
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Sports
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Neither are graduating seniors, but Stafford, a junior quarterback, and Moreno, a redshirt sophomore tailback, have the NFL looming over their heads as they prepare for Georgia's still-undetermined bowl game.
Moreno has been standoffish at times when asked about the future, and skipped out on interviews Wednesday. But Stafford has been more cooperative in the game of hypotheticals, even if he doesn't quite know what to do yet.
"Yeah, it's on my mind, but I'm trying to get ready for this bowl game," he said. "That's the No. 1 thing on my mind right now."
Early mock drafts typically have Stafford in the top three picks, anywhere from No. 1 overall to the No. 3 spot behind Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith and Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. Moreno is usually listed as a mid-first round selection.
Those projections, and a sense of an impending NFL rookie salary cap, probably weigh heavily on both Bulldogs' minds. But college isn't such a bad place to be.
"I have a great time here," Stafford said. "It's a great place and I love everybody around here. It's still fun for me."
"He loves college, he loves college life, and he realizes the NFL is a business," said wide receiver Kris Durham, one of Stafford's roommates. "So that's just something he's going to have to figure out."
Stafford is currently third on Georgia's career passing list with 7,301 yards, and Moreno, despite being in just his second season suited up, is already fourth in rushing with 2,672 yards.
They would both be crucial to the Bulldogs' hopes for 2009 if they want to improve upon what is currently a 9-3 season. Their teammates aren't necessarily launching a Stafford-Moreno '09 campaign, though.
"They're great. They understand the situation I'm in and they're going to be happy for me either way," Stafford said. "It's a blessing to have them feel that way. I'm sure they could be that way, hounding me all the time, but they're not."
"He doesn't really ever talk about it, and I don't want to bring it up," Durham said.
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