The No. 1 QB prospect in this year's NFL draft has announced his decision on whether he'll go pro or stay in school. Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Oregon Ducks signal-caller Marcus Mariota will declare for the 2015 draft. Oregon has since confirmed the news.
With his declaration, Mariota joins Florida State's Jameis Winston as the best QB prospects eligible for this year's draft. Winston are also announced he would turn pro. Both players are expected to be drafted in the top 10, with Mariota potentially going No. 1 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mariota’s poor performance in the national championship game in a loss to Ohio State has sparked speculation that perhaps he may not be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Even if he's not, there's plenty of teams in the top five that need a QB, and he won't wait long before hearing his name called in the draft.
It's also worth noting Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich spent eight years as quarterbacks coach for the Bucs' new offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter. That means Tampa Bay will get a great breakdown of Mariota's pros and cons.