Wisconsin, Auburn stars weighing NFL jump

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Brian Calhoun, Joe Thomas and Stanley McClover are all doing their best to focus on the Capital One Bowl, but they&#39;re also weighing decisions for their futures.<br> <br> The three juniors for Wisconsin and Auburn all said Tuesday they haven&#39;t made up their minds on whether to return for their senior seasons or enter the NFL draft.<br> <br> Thomas, the Badgers&#39; 6-foot-8 offensive tackle, said his evaluation from NFL officials pegged him as a first-round pick. Calhoun, Wisconsin&#39;s versatile tailback, and McClover, Auburn&#39;s defensive end, both said they haven&#39;t received the results of their own requests for information yet<br> <br> ``I really haven&#39;t sat down and thought long and hard on it yet,&#39;&#39; said Thomas, who is also expected to play some defensive end in the game. ``I&#39;ve heard both sides and I&#39;ve had a lot of good input so far. I can&#39;t really say that I&#39;m leaning either way, but it&#39;s a fun process.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Calhoun, a second-team Associated Press All-American, said he wouldn&#39;t think much about the NFL decision until after Monday&#39;s game.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s unfair to (my teammates), it&#39;s unfair to the coaches, for me to be focusing on that, so I&#39;ll cross the bridge when it comes,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I&#39;ll just try to gather as much information as possible, but I&#39;m not worried about it right now.<br> <br> ``When the time comes, we&#39;ll see.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> McClover had 6.5 sacks in Auburn&#39;s last three games after a six-game stretch without one. He also didn&#39;t shed light on his future plans.<br> <br> ``I just want to focus on this last game with Wisconsin,&#39;&#39; he said. ``I&#39;ll just worry about (the NFL) as it comes.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> SEARS OUT: Auburn linebacker Kevin Sears did not make the trip.<br> <br> ``He won&#39;t play,&#39;&#39; coach Tommy Tuberville said. ``I decided to leave him at home and let him catch up on his personal business. It&#39;s one of those things that you have to do sometimes, but he&#39;ll be back with us when we get back for school.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Tuberville did not elaborate on the reason for Sears&#39; absence. The junior was suspended for violation of team rules for the Georgia game but played against Alabama.<br> <br> ``He had some family matters, a personal situation he had to take care of,&#39;&#39; said linebacker Karibi Dede, Sears&#39; roommate. ``He&#39;s missed. But it will pretty much be business as usual.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Sears started three games this season, recording 27 tackles.<br> <br> PLAYING TOURISTS: Auburn&#39;s Tuberville and Wisconsin&#39;s Barry Alvarez have a similar approach to bowl trips: Let their players enjoy themselves.<br> <br> In Orlando, that means trips to the various theme parks and entertainment districts.<br> <br> ``I want them to experience it,&#39;&#39; Alvarez said. ``I talk to them about taking advantage of the experience and not being a fool and sitting back in the hotel. You don&#39;t get many opportunities to get here, and some of them may never be able to get back to Orlando.<br> <br> ``So experience it, but when we practice and when we meet I want their attention.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The Badgers aren&#39;t being wallflowers. The team&#39;s visit to SeaWorld on Monday was optional, but Alvarez said 108 players attended.<br> <br> Tuberville takes a similar approach. He doesn&#39;t impose a curfew until a few days before the game.<br> <br> ``We want to make sure the guys enjoy it and have fun,&#39;&#39; he said. ``It&#39;s supposed to be fun.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/12/119474