It's a calculated risk for Charles. One the one hand, there looks to be a glut of running backs available that Charles will most likely fall behind: McFadden, Felix Jones, Mendenhall, and Stewart. I haven't heard ANY discussion from the pundits about Charles entering the draft, whereas those guys have been hyped and have been thought to declare for a while. If Charles is indeed ranked behind those 4, I don't see how the advisory committee could've projected him as a first rounder. Had he stayed, another great year could've bumped him up to top half of first round.

On the other hand, he's probably looking back at Mack's track record and seeing that it's not so great. The recent Longhorns that stayed for their senior seasons during Charles' tenure were Rod Wright (who did win a Championship, but fell to the 7th round), Frank Okam (from the looks of it, he may have cost himself a round or two from staying...we'll see), and Limas Sweed (still has first round projection, but spent the entire season injured). Moreover, Charles plays at currently one of the least valuable positions in the NFL. If I'm him, I'm getting to the league as SOON as possible (which I think ALL running backs should do) in order to get as many pro touches as I can. The more carries a running back gets in college is less carries he'll be able to withstand in the pros, which is why I think Kevin Smith is an idiot for staying (note: this is not actually a proven fact, but I think it's pretty accurate).

To sum up, had Charles stayed, UT's offense would definitely have been better, and he could've boosted his draft stock some. As it stands, he's getting an extra year's paycheck, and if stories are correct, will be picked up in the first or second round. Not much more you can ask for there.

Thanks to Jamaal for a fantastic three years in burnt orange, and I'll be rooting for him at the next level. Here's hoping the Texans pick him up, so I'll finally have a damn Longhorn to root for at 12:00 on CBS Sundays.

Lastly, Malcolm Kelly, Duke Robinson, Reggie Smith, et al, need to declare already so we can get some good news to counter this sad piece of information.

Also in the ESPN article...

Texas also announced Wednesday that assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff, who spent one season on coach Mack Brown's staff, has also decided to leave. Mac Duff joined the Texas staff after spending four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

That's welcome news to some, I'm sure, but I'm reading this as Akina's going to be sticking around. Otherwise,  I'd have thought that Mack would've let them BOTH go on the same day. With only half the combo gone, I'm betting on Akina still being the DC next year....thoughts?

but crap.

I don't blame these guys for a second, though.  Good luck to you Jamaal (like you will ever f*&king read this).

... Charles is the dumbest 'Horn by far, but he sure can run.  I personally think that this is selfish leaving.  You can't blame Vince for leaving when he was on top of the world, but Jamaal leaving to be a second round pick is foolishness.  He just burned a bunch of money.  Burned it.  I'll miss him, but he doesn't get to be one of my favorite 'Horns any more.

As others said, this draft is loaded with running backs.  However, JC is likely to have one of those workouts that wow everyone.  I predict a 4th round exit.  

JC probably would improve his draft position considerably by returning for another year.  The O-line is one year older, with most of the starters returning.  JC's production, barring injuries, should be better next year which would help his stock considerably.  

Good luck JC.  I hope that your decision pans out better than my prognosications.

from his first run as a freshman i swore up and down he'd win the heisman
but loyalty to selvin young last year (he was good but not better)
really kinda slowed that campaign down
and then this year ... pooo
so i'm sad
but eh ... i'll get over it ... players come and go ... and i'm glad i get to see him
so here's a drink to JC
and welcome in the fozzy era
seems like a good enough kid

I will simply say thank you Jamaal, we wouldn't have won tOSU game in the Shoe without your catches in the flat. The long run against OU that year was fun too, the fumble this year was not. Still without you, we probably would have gone 7-6 last season.

I've got to believe the reason JC decided to go pro is because the NFL told him he will go high in the draft. Or it could be something that we'll never know like some type of financial hardship has befallen his family and they need the money or perhaps he has fallen out of favor with the University academically (happens more often than you'd think).

I wish him well as he will be missed but still contend that next season will be all about the defense for the Horns. I also think UT can find a running back to fill the void, perhaps not as fast and prolific as JC, but steady and effective none-the-less.  

I read a Richard Justice blog that praised Mike Leach for graduating his players at a much higher rate than UT and OU.

Add another player that won't graduate at UT. Mack shouldn't be penalized for this, but he will.

alright after the holiday bowl we all agree colt can run. but we have a talented running qb in john chiles.and we cant have a backup with loads of talent sittin on the bench.so we need to play chiles at running back. and when colt leaves we can move john back to qb

Charles was graded at a late first-early second round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee.