Another take on Mark Sanchez's early departure...

Although much of the USC fan base is still deeply disappointed and disheartened after Mark Sanchez declared for the NFL Draft just a week ago, I look at another take on the decision. 

While it has quickly become tradition for the USC quarterback to stay on campus through his senior season, Mark Sanchez made the RIGHT decision in leaving. You can argue it all you want; the facts are there and I believe he made the best decision for HIMSELF.

The most interesting facet about Sanchez's case is that he was only "The Man" for a year. For a person who lied in the wings of prior stars (like Leinart and Booty) for three years, it would be easy to stay for a second year. 

Last week, Sanchez made the harder decision. He did what Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow couldn't do: give up an amazing senior year as the top dog  on one of the best college football programs of all time, forgo receiving more individual accolades, withdrawing having the opportunity to play for a national championship,  and letting go one more year of college life to go to the NFL, where he will start all over as a lowly rookie. 

With those three aforementioned stars staying in school, it was probably very smart for Sanchez to declare NOW. Coming off the performance he had at the Rose Bowl has him almost as high as he could possibly go, and with the lack of "great" QB talent in the draft, it will be a two man race (against Matthew Stafford of Georgia) to decide who is the 1st QB taken, and likely the #1 pick overall, to the Detroit Lions. 

A number of mock drafts have Sanchez actually going in that number 1 spot, including Scout.com:

Even if he doesn't become the first player taken, it is very likely he would be in the Top 10. Financially, being the Number 1 pick would mean a $70 million contract, with at least #30 million guaranteed. A 10th pick for Sanchez would likely mean at least a $40 million contract with $20 million in guaranteed money. Although that comes out to being a large difference, when you get $40 million, you are definitely well off. Don't forget...If Stafford goes #1, there is a very large chance of Sanchez going #3 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Aside from the financial decisions, Mark Sanchez will be finishing up school this semester and obtaining his college degree in Communications -- something that heavily weighed on his decision-making. Now he can have his cake and eat it too. 

The decision has been made. Mark Sanchez is going to the NFL. Apologies to Pete Carroll, but Mark Sanchez is ready for the NFL, and the NFL is ready for Mark Sanchez. We will find out April 25 if his decision PAID off... 

In the mean time, we need to embrace our next star quarterback, whether it be Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain, Matt Barkely, or Garrett Green...