Aaron Maybin has accomplished what most of his peers at Penn State hope to do.
Maybin found success in college and left himself with numerous professional options afterwards.
After a season in which he recorded 12 sacks and made 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, the Penn State defensive end has used his performances on the football field to improve his resume for 32 future employers, all of those being NFL teams.
But despite a recent report on fightonstate.com that Maybin informed Joe Paterno Thursday night that he will enter the 2009 NFL Draft, Maybin has remained publicly silent about his future. At last week's Rose Bowl, Maybin refused to discuss his future plans and on Friday night, Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said he was not aware of the redshirt-sophomore's plans.
Former Penn State standout and NFL linebacker, LaVar Arrington - who has known Maybin since the latter was in middle school - said Friday night he hadn't spoken with his friend about the NFL Draft.
"Even if I did know, I don't know," Arrington said. "Aaron is the president and CEO of his corporation. Any announcements or any type of anything - him coming back or leaving, that's on him."
A two-time All-America selection for the Nittany Lions, Arrington led a seven-year NFL career marked by three Pro Bowl selections, but was hampered by numerous injuries. Arrington has not played since 2006 and was involved in a serious motorcycle crash in June 2007.
Arrington did say he would offer the following guidance on the NFL if Maybin sought it.
"I would tell him that nothing's guaranteed," Arrington said. "And first of all, get on your knees and ask God for some spiritual guidance on it and then talk to your family about it."
Maybin, his parents and Penn State sports information officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the earlier report.
Some mock drafts have the 6-foot-4 inch, 236-pound Maybin listed as high as the fifth-overall pick. The Cleveland Browns have that pick in April's draft.
Arrington said that if Maybin does decide to declare himself eligible for the draft, he would have "the highest upside of any player in the draft."
"Athletically, you don't come across people who look like him or are able to play like him every day," Arrington said. "If he does come back, then Penn State is better for it."
It is known that Maybin's position coach Larry Johnson Sr. plans to interview for a job on the Illinois coaching staff this week. Johnson recruited Maybin out of Ellicott City, Md.
Maybin's high school coach at Mount Hebron High School, Larry Luthe, said last night that he hadn't talked to his former player since Maybin sent his name to the NFL draft advisory board earlier this winter for evaluation of his stock. Luthe also noted he wasn't sure if Johnson's plans to interview with Illinois would affect Maybin's decision.
Players eligible to enter the NFL Draft have until Jan. 15 to declare their intentions.
Maybin's teammate and close friend, linebacker Jerome Hayes said he had also not heard from Maybin about his plans to stay at Penn State or enter the NFL Draft.
Hayes - who has seen all three of his playing seasons cut short by injuries - said it would be tough for him to return if he was considered a top-ten pick.
"[Aaron's] been very discreet with his plans on what he's going to do," Hayes said Friday evening. "So obviously he worked really hard this season to better himself and he's gotten himself into a pretty good predicament."
"He hasn't said anything to the tune of 'I'm going to the NFL.'"
