LOS ANGELES — If Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez changes his mind during the next couple of days — exercising a loophole in declaring his NFL draft eligibility allowing him to return to the Trojans next season — you can blame me.

Or maybe, I should get credit for saving an unsuspecting soul.

There was a sweet innocence to Sanchez's demeanor Thursday when he announced he would forego his final year of eligibility and opt for the draft, apparently against the strong objections of now former coach Pete Carroll.

For Sanchez, the moment was all about a young boy's dreams of one day getting an opportunity to play in the NFL. He'll graduate this spring. He'll be no worse than the second quarterback selected in the draft. He has got millions of dollars awaiting him with just the easy stroke of a pen, so why not leave now and live the dream?

But what happens if . . .

I asked Sanchez if during his decision process was there any trepidation of the Lions making him the first pick overall. And, of course, I was obligated to educate the young man on the organization's poisonous culture — particularly as it pertains to quarterbacks drafted in the first round.

It's a public service.

It didn't matter. The kid was oblivious.

"It would just be a dream to fulfill my lifelong wish of playing quarterback in the NFL, wherever it is," he said.

Even in Detroit?

"They're an NFL team," he said.

Clearly, Los Angeles was immune to Lions television exposure last season.

There has been speculation that the fear of becoming a Lion was one of the variables Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford considered when he opted to remain at Oklahoma. It was also a consideration for Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who'll return to the Longhorns.

But it doesn't matter to either Sanchez or Georgia's Matthew Stafford, who also bolted for the draft with a year of eligibility remaining.

New Lions coach Jim Schwartz isn't a fool. If he learned as much from Bill Belichick as he professed during his introductory news conference Friday, he'll understand that building a successful franchise is all about drafting the highest-graded players available when you're on the clock.

It's a mistake taking an offensive lineman or defensive player with the first overall pick if, after an intensive evaluative process, that player is only the third- or fourth-highest-rated prospect.

But now the process begins in earnest.

The deadline for declaring for the draft came Thursday. There were surprises along with Sanchez. Mississippi junior defensive end Greg Hardy, who had 8 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 tackles for loss last season, opted to remain at Ole Miss. He could've become this draft's Mario Williams, who rose up the rankings through the combine and became the No. 1 overall pick three years ago.

But now Hardy is not an option for the Lions.

It has never been more important that the Lions are right when grading college talent. It's unlikely they'll find a willing partner for trading out of the No. 1 pick, making it essential they're certain they've identified the best prospect, period, at No. 1 — even if it's another quarterback.