Dr. S admits he was surprised to learn that Eli Manning and Rod Davis were going to return to their respective schools for their senior seasons rather than going on to the NFL. Eli, the Ole Miss QB, surprised Dr. S because he was going to be a first-round pick (probably). Eli can probably boost his stock by playing at Ole Miss — if he doesn't get killed in the process.
Davis, the Southern Miss linebacker, was a surprise because he was told he WOULD NOT be a first-round pick. If that's the case, he's wise to go back to Hub City and attempt to boost his stock. Warning to all USM opponents: Rod Davis will be a very angry man this season. Stay as far away as possible.
Here's some other takes on the Eli and Rod stories ...
Eli Manning
From The Sun Herald of Biloxi:
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/sports/4948943.html
From The Oxford Eagle:
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/sports1.html
From the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal of Tupelo:
http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=23493&pub=1&div=News
From The Daily Mississippian (Ole Miss student paper)
http://www.theDMOnline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/01/15/3e251ac1deb69
Rod Davis
From The Sun Herald
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/sports/4948937.htm
From the Hattiesburg American
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/news/stories/20030115/localsports/780844.html