In January, Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu suffered a torn ACL, dramatically damaging his draft stock.

And we’re now told as the draft approaches that Ikegwuonu supposedly has informed multiple teams that he’ll sit out the entire 2008 season and re-enter the draft in 2009, if he isn’t picked in one of the first two rounds.

There’s a belief that he’s bluffing, and that he really wouldn’t sit out.  For several reasons, such a tactic would make no sense. 

First of all, his draft stock likely wouldn’t improve dramatically after a year away from the game — unless he runs a 4.1 in the 40-yard dash at next year’s Scouting Combine.

Second, even if the torn ACL wipes out his rookie season, he’d get a year of credit in the league, and he’d be a year closer to free agency. 

Third, if he signs a contract in 2008, he’ll get paid.

Fourth, his rehab will be supervised by a medical and training staff that has as much or more of an interest as the player does in getting him back to full health.

There’s also a chance that Ikegwuonu’s stance will prompt no team to draft him at all.  Though unlikely, such a development would make him a free agent immediately.  He would therefore not re-enter the draft in 2009, and thus would not be entitled to the high-dollar slotted payment that goes along with being selected in round one or two.

Though he’d also be available to the highest bidder, it’s unclear how much any team would put on the table to sign him off the street once he’s fully and completely healthy.