PonyFans.com

Decision is in
Junior running back declares for NFL Draft


Junior running back Shawnbrey McNeal submitted his paperwork Friday with the NFL to forego his senior year of eligibility at SMU and make himself eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft in April.

McNeal said Friday that his decision was driven largely by the financial aspect of playing professionally, and what a professional career could allow him to do for his mother, Mattie, and his two young children.

McNeal said he has been consulting closely throughout the decision process with SMU head coach June Jones, and said that Jones did not try to influence his decision at all.

“Coach Jones was great,” McNeal said. “He supported me 100 percent.”

McNeal said he will be represented by Greg Diulus of Tampa, Fla.-based DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment. He said most of the feedback he has gotten indicates he could be chosen in or around the fourth round.

McNeal said earlier this week that he has wrestled with the decision, but as today’s deadline approached, the decision became less difficult.

“It came clear to me this morning,” he said. “This is going to allow me to take care of my family, and that’s most important.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet, but it will. I’m excited.”

McNeal said he will leave Sunday for Tampa, where he will train in preparation for the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis.

He also said he fully intends to return to SMU to complete his degree in sociology.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “I’m going to come back and get it.”

McNeal, who played his high school ball at Madison High School in Dallas, played two years at the University of Miami before transferring to SMU. In his only season on the Hilltop, McNeal rushed 236 times for 1,188 yards (5.0 yards per carry / 91.4 yards per game) and 12 rushing touchdowns, including three scores in SMU's 45-10 win over Nevada in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

Best wishes Shawnbrey...hope it all works out for you the way you want it to. Also thanks for your great year at SMU...you were fun to watch and a big part of our team's success.

Thanks for being one of the main reason we went to a bowl game for the first time in 25 years. And for almost singlehandedly carrying the team on your back at times. You left the program better than it was when you got here and by getting 1000 yards this year you have made it easier for us to recruit good rb's. I wish you the best. My the Lord bless you son as you have been a blessing to SMU.

i really wish i could have watched shawnbrey in an smu jersey for one more year, but i support his decision. he is definitely making this decision for the right reasons. i wish him the best in the nfl and for his family.

good luck

GO GET IT SHAWNBREY! It was fun as hell watching you on Saturdays and it will be even better watching you on Sundays!

Thanks Shanbrey. Hope you get the NFL opportunity you deserve.

Not what I wanted to hear, selfishly, but best of luck to you McNeal. Was a treat watching you in a Pony uniform.

On one hand I'm crushed to lose him. On the other, I believe we were incredibly blessed to have him here for a year. He certainly eased the transition for Padron and allowed in to flourish. He helped make SMU fun to watch again.

Bust of luck Shawnbrey, you'll always be a Mustang in my book.

That's awesome. When was the last time we had someone declare their junior year? Thanks for a great season McNeal and good luck at the next level.

hope it works out for him

One of the highlights of my young son's year was getting Shawnbrey's autograph and picture (with a grin like he was posing with family) after a late season win. It was a pleasure watching you, #8, and we hope to see you excel at the next level. Don't be a stranger to the Pony sideline in the coming years!

Disheartening but with Fields coming aboard we should be fine though it stinks to lose our 2 best offensive players. I hope the info he has been getting is right. I would hate to see him go undrafted.