When the red carpet is rolled out for the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago, the previous two Heisman Trophy winners will not be making the walk into Auditorium Theatre.
Oregon Ducks standout Marcus Mariota has decided to remain at home with his family for the big day.
Like Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota does not plan to attend NFL Draft in Chicago, per league sources. Top 2 QBs, maybe top 2 picks, now out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 31, 2015
For Mariota, the decision was made because he feels it is culturally important to be with his family as he takes the next step in his career.
Marcus Mariota told NFL it is important to him, personally and culturally, to be in Hawaii to celebrate next step in life. No draft for him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 31, 2015
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston previously announced that he would also be declining an invitation to Chicago. Rather than going through the flurry of media events during draft week, Winston will be staying at home where he will share draft day with his grandmother, who has type-2 diabetes and would have been unable to make the trip.
With Mariota and Winston choosing to enjoy the draft from home, fans of the teams who select the top two signal-callers will need to wait a little longer to see the future faces of their franchise holding up their new jersey.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports