It looks like the two highest-profile NFL draft prospects this year will not be attending the actual draft in Chicago in about a month.
Fresh off news that former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is potentially planning on celebrating the draft with his family in Alabama, comes this surprising bit of information.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, reigning Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is planning to be with his family back in Hawaii when his name is called in the first round of the draft in late April.
Marcus Mariota told NFL it is important to him, personally and culturally, to be in Hawaii to celebrate next step in life. No draft for him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 31, 2015
Winston is expected to be the first pick in the draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, Mariota could potentially go as high at No. 2 overall to the Tennessee Titans or another team that trades up to that slot.
It would be the first time since the draft started gaining national television attention that the top two picks have not attended the draft.
Both Winston and Mariota have good reasons for staying away from Chicago. For Winston, it’s to be with his elderly grandmother who cannot travel. And as it relates to Mariota, he’s looking to make history as the highest-picked Hawaiian-born player. Why not spend that important day where it all started?
Photo: USA Today Sports