No surprise here: Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III has informed Baylor head coach Art Briles that he will indeed turn pro rather than return to Baylor. RG3's incredible 2011 season, in which he threw for nearly 4,300 yards, passed for 37 touchdowns while rushing for 10 more, certainly catapulted his draft stock high enough that Griffin decided to enter the 2012 NFL Draft.
There's no question whatsoever that RG3 made the right decision, either.
Sure, it would have been fun for Griffin to return to Baylor for the '12 season, but it would be just that: for fun. Baylor is not a national powerhouse and they're not going to be a title contender in '12. Matt Barkley at USC opted against entering the NFL draft, but he also didn't enjoy an Heisman winning season and he's also on a team that is poised to compete for the BCS title next year.
SB Nation's latest mock draft has RG3 being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft. If Griffin is even a top ten pick, then there is no question that he should turn pro and head to the NFL, and it's quite possible if not likely that he will end up as a top five pick.
RG3 has given Baylor and Bears fans everywhere plenty: he's delivered the school's first Heisman trophy, and he led Baylor back to a bowl game in '10 for the first time since 1994, and led Baylor to a bowl win in '11 for the first time since 1992.
Griffin simply has too much to lose and too little to gain by returning to Baylor. Good for him, and there's no reason to wish anything but the best for Griffin as he prepares for the combine and pre-draft workouts.