New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com

Updated: 07:28 PM EST
LSU\'s Clayton Ready to Skip Senior Season, Try NFL
Others From Tigers\' Bowl Championship Team Might Leave Too

BATON ROUGE, La. (Jan. 11) -- LSU receiver Michael Clayton will leave school a year early to enter the NFL draft.

AP
LSU\'s Michael Clayton says he\'s going to the NFL.

\"It\'s a situation that I\'ve been counseled for, prayed about and feel comfortable in doing,\" Clayton said Sunday.

Clayton becomes the seventh LSU player ever to leave early for the draft.

There are several other Tigers juniors who have been mentioned as candidates for the draft, including defensive ends Marcus Spears and Marquise Hill and cornerback Corey Webster. The early entry deadline is Friday.

\"I think that Michael has good information based on the decision that he\'s made, and I don\'t second-guess it,\" LSU coach Nick Saban said.

The BCS champions also are awaiting a decision from quarterback Matt Mauck, who may pass up his senior season to enter dental school.

Clayton caught 78 passes in 2003 for 1,079 yards and 10 touchdowns and was picked as a third-team All-American.

He caught four passes for 38 yards last Sunday in the Sugar Bowl as the Tigers defeated Oklahoma 21-14 to win the Bowl Championship Series title game.

\"As a person, I can say that I have never coached a player that has more class and more integrity than Michael Clayton,\" Saban said. \"For all that he\'s done for us in helping this program win a national championship and two SEC championships, my only regret is that he won\'t be back.\"

The first LSU player to leave early for the draft was Eddie Kennison in 1995, followed by Alan Faneca in 1997, Josh Booty in 2000, Josh Reed and Trev Faulk in 2001 and LaBrandon Toefield last year.

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/sports/ar...11191709990001

[Edited on 12/1/2004 by JOESAM2002]