Mathias Kiwanuka decides to return for senior year

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:03 am

Kiwi Coming Back

Big East Defensive Player of the Year decides to return for senior year
Jan. 7, 2005

Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka announced Friday that he has decided to return to Boston College for his senior season of football. Kiwanuka had been considering entering the upcoming NFL draft.

"I have made my final decision, I will be staying at Boston College for my last year of eligibility," Kiwanuka says. "After talking to a lot of people, I decided the best thing for my family and for me was to come back for my senior year. I went back and forth through the whole process, but when I finally got home and had time to consider what was important to me and the people around me, I made my final decision."

Kiwanuka, the 2004 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, said having the opportunity to play in the ACC and to finish the classwork necessary to obtain his Boston College degree played key roles in his decision.

"It's a great day for Boston College football," Coach Tom O'Brien says. "Throughout this process, my job was to provide as much information as I could for him so that he could make an informed decision. I give him a lot of credit. He listened to a lot of sources and got a lot of information and processed it and made the decision that was best for him. We were going to support him either way he decided to go. But we're very happy he's staying."

Kiwanuka, the first junior to be voted tri-captain during O'Brien's career, finished the 2004 season with 67 total tackles (36 solos), 24.5 TFLs for 117 yards, 11.5 sacks for 82 yards and two interceptions. He was a unanimous choice for the All-Big East first team.

http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-f ... 5aaz.html#

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:20 am

Well that's a shock, but I suppose he can really increase his draft stock with another year.

Pudgeman37 · Post by **Pudgeman37** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 2:07 am

Well that's a shock, but I suppose he can really increase his draft stock with another year.

I think he's a smart guy. Everyone agrees he has freakish talent, but when I look at him, I think he's a lanky basketball player. He would of been a borderline 1st-2nd rounder because of his raw skills. However, next year, top 15 for sure if he can bulk up and retain that speed.

Jeremy81 · Post by **Jeremy81** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:35 am

well that just makes me want to draft receiver even more...pick up a pass rusher in free agency

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 2:36 am

good for him, i hate all the stupid football and basketball players that come out just for the money. I mean the money aint going anywhere and the longer you play, the more money you get.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 12:43 pm

I think he's a smart fella. If I were his momma I would have been on the side of staying in school. Just for the educational benefits and completing his degree is enough reason to stay. This kid seems smart and I am not sure that "increasing his stock" is why he decided to stay there his senior year.

If he enters the draft next year and we have the need I would love to have a guy like this on our team. He has got to be pretty level headed to make a decision like this with all the media attention and pressure he's likely under.

Warmother · Post by **Warmother** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:55 pm

I think it's a smart move by him. He'll get more exposure in the ACC and could become a top 5 or 10 pick next year. Which would give him a larger signing bonus than this year.

Beast Hog · Post by **Beast Hog** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:43 pm

I think he's just conceded and greedy.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 8:29 pm

Beast Hog wrote:I think he's just conceded and greedy.

Going back to school and playing for free for another season when there are millions to be made now is not conceded and greedy.... it sounds like something he sat down and thought about and came to the right decision about.

Now that Kiwanuka is not entering the draft, I think E James is the best DE in the draft