Michael Floyd, a senior wide receiver for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and a projected first-round talent in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft, has decided to skip out on the Senior Bowl all-star game in Mobile, Alabama. The January game is designed to showcase college players in an NFL-like environment, as players are provided an opportunity to work with NFL coaches and speak with media in the presence of scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
With such a crowded class of wide receivers behind Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, Floyd could have used the game to distinguish himself from South Carolina's junior WR Alshon Jeffery and Baylor's senior WR Kendall Wright in the eyes of NFL scouts. Instead, Floyd has pulled out of the game without citing a reason, and if he is not limited by injury this will only raise questions among NFL brass.
The 6-1, 263-pound receiver caught 100 passes for 1,147 yards and 9 touchdowns in 13 games with the Fighting Irish in 2011, and added 5 receptions for 41 yard and a touchdown in the team's 18-14 loss to the Florida State Seminoles in the Champs Sports Bowl.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth Bears coverage, visitWindy City Gridiron, and for more on the 2012 NFL draft, head over to Mocking The Draft. For more from around the NFL, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.