2013 NFL Draft: Alec Ogletree explains decision to enter draft

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree announced his intention to forego his senior season and enter the 2013 NFL Draft in the wake of a 45-31 victory against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. Ogletree explained the decision when he spoke to Jonathan Branch and Marc Weiszer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

"This is my last game," Ogletree said of his college career. "It's a tough decision, but I felt like it was the right one for me to do based on just where I may go and the amount of risk it is to come back. I talked to my parents and let God lead me in the right way."

Ogletree, 21, could be joined in the draft by fellow junior linebacker, Jarvis Jones, but was not the pass rushing backer that Jones was. Instead, Ogletree racked up tackles instead of sacks as an inside linebacker, finishing with 98 tackles and just three sacks in 2012.

One thing that could be a concern for teams looking to draft the talented linebacker, though, is a history that has included poor decisions. Ogletree was suspended for the first game of 2010 following an arrest for misdemeanor theft and missed four more games this season after failing drug test.

In Dan Kadar's latest mock draft for SB Nation, he projected that Ogletree barely sneaks in to the first round, sending him to the Denver Broncos with the No. 31 selection:

31. Denver Broncos - Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia

Current starting middle linebacker Keith Brooking is 37 and Joe Mays often looked lost at the position. Ogletree is a high-level physical talent with some slight character flaws. He could be worth the risk. The Broncos could also look for secondary help with this pick.

Opposing teams averaged fewer than 20 points against the Bulldogs in 2012.