Let’s get this out of the way. I am not a Division I athlete &- there are no scouts drooling over my athletic potential, no agent will ever negotiate a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract on my behalf and I have never been forced to choose between school and “the big show.”

But, do I begrudge the gifted student-athletes &- like junior forward Nick Bonino &- who choose to forego their final year(s) of eligibility in order to go pro? Absolutely not.

Don’t get me wrong &- I’d love to see Bonino in scarlet and white when the Terrier men open up their 2010-11 campaign next October. But I can understand &- to the best of my ability &- why some of our nation’s most talented student-athletes choose the “major leagues” over a bachelor’s degree when given the chance.

There’s obviously a lot for athletes to consider before cutting their college careers short by signing a professional tender or declaring themselves draft-eligible, including longevity, earning/professional potential and personal values.

It’s no secret that a career in professional sports is anything but a long-term endeavor (sports-media.org estimates the average career length of a professional athlete to be five to 10 years). So, why wouldn’t student athletes, like Bonino, maximize the lives of their careers by entering into the pros as soon as they (and, in all likelihood, their collegiate coaches) felt they were ready to do so?

Furthermore, who are we to criticize &- and second-guess &- the immensely talented young adults who choose to pursue their passion at the highest level?

Yes, college fans hate to see their program’s high-profile talents depart after a couple of years (a la Colin Wilson). Unfortunately, what’s best for the program isn’t always what’s best for the player. That’s just the way things work.

Competition at the Division I level isn’t only phenomenal for university programs &- it’s good for athletes too. That is, in my mind, almost unquestionable (there are, of course, exceptions; see: LeBron James, who looked NBA-ready in high school). There does come a time, however, when “coming back for more” can do more harm than good for professional-caliber student athletes.

Don’t see it? Just take a look at former University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford, who won a Heisman Trophy and led his Sooner squad to the 2009 BCS National Championship game, chose to return to Norman, Okla. for another collegiate season (rather than entering the 2009 NFL Draft). During the course of his 2009-10 campaign, Bradford played in three games, connected on 39 of his 69 pass attempts and injured his shoulder twice (with the second injury requiring season-ending surgery).

In this, his third year of eligibility, Bradford did nothing to improve his draft stock. Rather than playing in the NFL (or, at the very least, learning from potential NFL teammates) and collecting a professional-sized paycheck, Bradford spent his season at OU on the sideline (or on the operating table).

It would be foolish to think that stellar student athletes don’t consider the fate of college superstars who injure themselves in the final years of eligibility when confronted with the difficult decision of whether or not to go pro.

Surprisingly enough, Bradford was relatively lucky. It’s entirely possible that a pro career can be cut short &- or ended &- before it even starts.

NHLers, like Bonino, know that they have about 11 years to cash in on supersized contracts (unless, of course, you’re Chris Chelios, in which case you can play well into your 40s). It makes sense, then, for student athletes to secure their financial future by forgoing eligibility as soon as sensibly possible &- that is, when they are physically and emotionally mature enough to handle the lifestyle of a professional athlete and when they are skilled enough to hack it with the pros.

And, let’s face it: for National Championship winners like Bonino, there is very little left to accomplish on the Division I stage (last year’s seven-championship season was, most likely, the pinnacle of Bonino’s short-lived collegiate career). Once star Division I athletes have created a market for themselves and reached all desired collegiate milestones, it seems logical to allow them to move on to “bigger and better” possibilities.

I know, I know &- the operative word in Division I student athlete is “student.” I’m not downplaying the value of a college education, even for future professional athletes. But with the average lifespan of a professional career at roughly five to 10 years, there’s no reason to believe that former athletes won’t be afforded the opportunity to resume their studies &- if that’s what they wanted all along.

Admittedly, I’m not prepared to argue that an early departure from the collegiate scene is right for all athletes. Look at Matt Gilroy, a talented defenseman who maximized his potential (and his professional value) by returning for a star-studded senior season. For every uber-talented collegiate prospect ready to go pro, there are probably 20 more who would be best served by working towards a diploma.

But, I’m also not ready to label those Division I athletes who forego their final year(s) of eligibility “foolish” or “selfish.

The decision is theirs to make. As fans, all we can do is wish them the best of luck.