Setta, Watson still undecided on futures
By JOE HETTLER
Sports Editor
Jeff Faine could have returned for a fifth year at Notre Dame, but after weighing his options, the Irish center just couldn't risk returning for another year.
"It was a tough decision to make," Faine said. "It was tough to leave my teammates, it was tough to leave this program, especially the way it's moving now and it's tough to leave the coaches. But I think all things weighing, the risk was just too much higher than the reward."
Faine sent a letter to the NFL asking where he would be projected to go in the April draft. After receiving the letter back, which told him he could be a second-round pick, Faine made his final decision. Had the letter told him he would be a third-round pick or lower, Faine said he would have stayed at Notre Dame.
The Sanford, Fla. native received several accolades before and after the 2002 season. He was a preseason second-team All-American and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and a finalist for the Rimington Award. He started his last 34 games and led the Irish in minutes played each of the past two seasons.
Faine may be leaving, but two other Irish football players still have a decision to make.
Notre Dame linebacker and Butkus award finalist Courtney Watson also must decide between the NFL or another year at Notre Dame.
Watson could not be reached for comment on whether or not he would go pro next season.
The Sarasota, Florida native led the team in tackles heading into their Bowl game against North Carolina State, but did not play due to injury. Watson had season-high 15 tackles against Michigan State and also intercepted four passes for the Irish.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame kicker Nicholas Setta has yet to decide where he will be playing next season.
The senior has one year left of eligibility, but could elect to skip that year and declare for the draft.
Setta, who drilled 14-of-25 field goals this season and was 35-of-54 during his career said it'd be a tough decision to pass over another year at Notre Dame.
"I'm just thinking about what would be best for me," Setta said. "It'd be hard to pass up a year of school at Notre Dame and that's the basically the thing."
Setta connected on his career-long 51-yard field goal during a 22-0 Irish over Maryland earlier this season.
Setta has also made 87 consecutive extra points, which is the second longest such streak in Notre Dame history.
One reason why Setta might come back would be that he shouldn't face any career-ending injuires as a kicker next season for Notre Dame.
"The NFL would hopefully always be there in case of injuries, but I don't really have to worry about that," Setta said. "So it's basically, `Would you like to play another year of college football?'"
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, January 15, 2003
