Make no mistake about it -- this is the best move at the right time for IU wide receiver Tandon Doss.
Doss improved his NFL Draft stock at the end of the season with two great games against Penn State and Purdue. The do-it-all receiver had seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown against the Nittany Lions, along with 61 rushing yards on five attempts. In the season finale at Purdue, Doss caught eight balls for 64 yards and three scores.
"Obviously I had the ball in my hands a lot in those two games," Doss said in a phone interview. "I was able to show people my versatility, that I'm a playmaker, and that we do have talent at Indiana. Hopefully in the end it all works out and the scouts are able to see what I can do."
With a new quarterback next year -- either Ed Wright-Baker, Dusty Kiel or Tre Roberson -- Doss' stock wasn't going to get any higher, even with an offensive-minded head coach. If Doss were to come back, he would also be risking injury.
"I couldn't take my chances with an unknown. I would be taking a leap of faith if I stayed because I don't know what's going to happen here," Doss said. "It was something I couldn't risk. It is time for me to move on, and I wish them (IU) the best of luck."
For Doss, this is the only choice he can make. I still see him as a guy who gets selected late in the second round or early in the third. He is so versatile and could end up returning punts and kicks as a rookie.
Eventually, I think Doss will be a solid No. 2 or 3 receiver in this league. He could be great in the slot position, especially for a team like the Indianapolis Colts.
For IU, this decision obviously hurts. But with guys like Damarlo Belcher, Kofi Hughes, Duwyce Wilson and Ted Bolser coming back, I think the Hoosiers will be okay at the receiver position. The more important issue will be finding a solid starting quarterback and solidifying a defense that has struggled in recent years.
Check back later tonight for more reaction and more on Doss' thought process.
