NFL Draft: San Diego State's Damontae Kazee changes mind, will remain an Aztec

San Diego State defensive back Damontae Kazee was a little to quick to decide his future football fate. The Mountain West defensive player of the year announced via Instagram that he was going to declare for the draft has changed course and will play another year with the Aztecs.

Kazee said that he spoke with family and friends and that is when he decided for one more year.

"I looked over it with my parents and decided I should go ahead and finish school first and worry about (the draft) then," said Kazee via the San Diego Union Tribune. "After my last game, I've been stressed out (about staying or leaving). I made my decision to stay yesterday and talked to the coaches about it. I'm stress free now.

"I'm just happy to come back and (try to) repeat as Mountain West champions."

Underclassmen must file declaration papers by Jan. 18 with the NFL, and Kazee was well ahead of that time to change his mind.

Kazee was projected as a fourth-round pick but all he can do to show his skills at the combine while seniors can go to All-Star games to get a better look. Also, Kazee is just two semesters away from earning his degree in criminal justice and wants to finish the degree sooner than later.

"In the long run, there's life after football, of course," he said. "It's like what am I going to do after that if I don't have a degree? And who wants to go back to school when you're 26 or 27 years old?

"I don't see a downside. Some people say, ‘What if you get hurt?' It's football. People get hurt in football, no matter what. I'm going to have to live with that (if it happens). I'm not going to sit here and cry about it, just continually try to grind. If my draft stock drops next year, so be it. As long as I have a degree to go with it."

Getting Kazee back on this team for next year is a huge boost and will allow the Aztecs to have a very good secondary, plus San Diego State is getting back running back Donnel Pumphrey as well linebacker Calvin Munson.

Overall, the Aztecs are likely returning 14 of their 22 starters and that does not include quarterback Christian Chapman who has seen some time late in the year and will start.

With this much talent back the Aztecs are looking to be in serious contention to repeat as Mountain West champions.