If quarterback Andrew Luck decides to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft, it means that Monday night's Orange Bowl was his final game at Stanford (not a bad way to go out). It also means he'll be joining the Carolina Panthers.
According to a report at ESPN, which quotes "two high-ranking team officials," the Panthers are set on drafting Luck with the No. 1 overall pick come April.
While it may be a bit premature to decide your first-round pick before meeting with him or putting him through a workout, Luck has been considered the No. 1 pick for some time now by NFL draft experts, and chances are the Panthers have already seen everything they need to see (especially after Monday night's performance: 18-for-23, 287 yards and four touchdowns).
The Panthers have already stated that they won't even consider trading down if Luck declares. Of course, this is all a moot point if Luck, a redshirt sophomore, decides to return to Stanford for another season -- something he is in fact considering.