DALLAS -- There's been a lot of talk by various media outlets -- and even in the scouting community -- about Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota's status for the 2015 NFL Draft and whether or not he would be one of the first players taken in the spring should he decide to apply for and be granted early entry.
The always-reserved Heisman Trophy winner continued on Saturday to dismiss such thoughts of leaving school and applying for the draft, however, reiterating once again that his focus is on the team's upcoming matchup with Ohio State at AT&T Stadium.
"I really haven't made my decision yet," Mariota said at media day for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. "I don't know if that's my future. It hasn't been a distraction because I'm really just focusing on this game and making sure I go out there prepared."
Mariota, a redshirt junior, will have just three days after the title game to file the necessary paperwork to apply for draft entry. The deadline for underclassmen to submit for early entry is Jan. 15. The signal-caller has mentioned that he'll go over the decision with family members before making anything final, but the Ducks' coaching staff indicated that it has gone over all the options with the star player when it comes to the next level.
"I think all of us kind of know what he's thinking and what he's going to do," Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost told the media prior to the Rose Bowl. "But with him, hey, nobody knows for sure."
While he was not perfect in the team's Rose Bowl win, the dual-threat star showed why his talent is so intriguing to NFL evaluators, accounting for three touchdowns and outdoing 2013 Heisman winner Jameis Winston in leading Oregon to a win. Winston has already announced he will apply for early entry into the draft.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
