Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Tuitt, who finished the regular season first on the team in sacks (six) and tackles for loss (7.5) despite a slow start, is ranked No. 8 on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" of 2014 NFL Draft prospects. photo by Bill Panzica of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, paused and pointed to the Oct. 5 showdown with Arizona State. Tuitt recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the 37-34 Irish win. The decision to stay or leave is taxing. On one hand, Tuitt could be the undisputed leader among defensive ends in the 2015 NFL Draft by avoiding the same class as South Carolina standout Jadeveon Clowney. However, there is always the risk of significant injury or even decreased production that could cause Tuitt — a likely top-10 to top-15 pick this year — to tumble in the 2015 draft. Under head coach Brian Kelly, however, it has become a trend for juniors to stay in school for one more year and finish their Notre Dame degree. It worked with wide receiver Michael Floyd (200811), tight end Tyler Eifert (2009-12) and linebacker Manti Te'o (2009-12), all of whom improved their stock while graduating as seniors. Eifert and Te'o even helped spearhead the charge to a 12-0 regular season and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game in 2012. Louis Nix III also opted to stay for his senior year in 2013. "Primarily, it's the ability to gain their degree and have their degree in hand, as well as if there are opportunities for them to gain leverage in the NFL relative to their draft status," Kelly said when asked about the trend. "Those two things are the most important. The third would be to come back and play with their teammates, and not necessarily in that order. "Probably with Stephon, you're going to look at a strong family decision as being part of this, as well as his degree is going to be very central to this. Each one is a little different." With nose guard Nix now headed to