Leaf Still Ponders Pros

Would you rather be a record-setting big fish in a small pond, or a well-paid, somewhat smaller fish in a big pond?

That’s the type of decision facing Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, who has led WSU to its first Rose Bowl in 67 years.

Leaf can either stay a Cougar for his senior year, or declare himself eligible for the NFL draft and become a Saint, a Bear, a Colt or a Cardinal - the teams that likely will get the top draft picks because they have the worst records.

There are good things about staying in Pullman.

“There are a lot of things holding me back,” he said, while home in Great Falls for Thanksgiving. “I could have my jersey retired, make the college football Hall of Fame, and reach 10,000 yards passing. I could rewrite the Pac-10 record book.”

But Leaf will graduate in May.”The money is the only reason for coming out, and I’ve been getting by on $400 or $500 per month and doing just fine,” Leaf told the Great Falls Tribune, adding that he won’t decide until after the Rose Bowl.