McGahee Might Wait to Cash in His Chips

PHOENIX —  Miami sophomore Willis McGahee has all the gears you’d want in a superstar tailback, yet he’s admittedly stuck when talk turns to leaving early for the National Football League.

“Right now, I’m in neutral,” McGahee said Sunday. “I’m not worried about it right now, I can’t worry about the NFL, that’s a big decision.”

McGahee burst onto the national scene this year, rushing for 1,686 yards as a sophomore after winning the starting job when projected starter, Frank Gore, tore up his knee at spring practice.

The odds would seem to favor McGahee leaving after Friday’s national title game. He said he would consider the NFL if he was a top-10 pick -- and that seems a cinch given McGahee’s often awesome display of power and speed.

McGahee spent most of his freshman year as a fullback, making his first start in last year’s national title game for the injured Najeh Davenport.

He said Sunday his goal is to leave as “the best running back ever at the University of Miami,” and one win against Ohio State might push him over the top.

As McGahee contemplates his decision to leave for the NFL, Ohio State All-America safety Michael Doss reflected Sunday on his decision to return for his senior year.

A lot of people figured Doss was NFL-bound last year, but he opted to get his degree and try to help Ohio State win its first national title since 1968.

“It was difficult at the time thinking about personal life and family situations, but I think it was the best decision for me,” Doss said. “We’ve had a blessed season all season and here we are in the national championship. It was a wild gamble, but it worked out and here we are.”

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Don’t believe the hype: Miami players are trying to downplay the fact the Hurricanes are double-digit favorites over Ohio State.

“It will be a lot closer than 13 or 14 points,” Miami defensive tackle Matt Walters said. “To be undefeated at the end of a 13-game season, they are doing something right. I don’t see the game getting out of hand. I think it’s going to come down to late in the fourth quarter.”

Miami is considered the fastest team in the country, but who is the fastest Hurricane?

McGahee said he is probably tops for the first 40 yards, but concedes that receiver Andre Johnson is faster over the length of the field.

“I like die after 70 yards,” McGahee said. “Andre Johnson is the fastest. I’m in the top 10.”

McGahee says sometimes the talk of speed gets carried away.

“There’s a linebacker, as a matter of fact, who thinks he’s faster than me,” he joked of teammate Jarrell Weaver. “I keep telling the boy he’s not faster than me, but it brings out the best of everybody.”