Texas Longhorns' Jermichael Finley heading to NFL
01:54 PM CST on Monday, January 7, 2008
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
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AUSTIN – Texas redshirt sophomore tight end Jermichael Finley became the second Longhorn to forgo remaining eligibility to make himself eligible for the NFL draft.
Finley's announcement Monday in a statement released by the school comes after junior running back Jamaal Charles, the Big 12's leading rusher in 2007, also announced he was turning professional.
"The NFL is every football player's dream, and when my NFL grade came back, it was encouraging and I felt like it was in my best interest to enter the draft," Finley said. "I've worked really hard for three years at Texas to prepare for this and I think I'm ready for the challenge."
A source close to Finley said last week that Finley received indication he'd be drafted in the fourth round from an NFL committee that evaluates where underclassmen might be selected. The source said then that Finley was seriously considering returning to Texas.
But Finley has a daughter and another child on the way, and is willing to take his chances in the draft, the source said Monday.
Finley (6-5, 236), who turned down a chance to play basketball and football at Arizona, started all 13 games for UT and caught 45 passes for 575 yards and two touchdowns. He had four catches for a career-high 149 yards in a loss to Oklahoma this season.
"Jermichael is a great kid who has worked hard to improve in each of his three years with us," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "He finished his career ranked among the most productive receiving tight ends in school history and handled himself well both on and off the field during his time at Texas.
"He's leaving in good academic standing and we hope he will come back to finish his degree in the future. We thank him, support him and look forward to following him in the NFL."
Texas freshman Blaine Irby (6-3, 230) is the most likely to replace Finley in the starting lineup next season.
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