Missouri WR Maclin to enter NFL draft

Jan 9, 2009 - 10:01 PM COLUMBIA, Missouri (Ticker) -- Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin announced Friday he will forego his final two years of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

A projected first-round pick, Maclin is one of the fastest players in the nation. The 6-1, 200-pounder caught 102 passes for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and was a threat to score on every punt and kickoff return.

The redshirt sophomore is expected to be one of the first receivers selected in April's draft. He totaled 2,833 all-purpose yards this season - the fifth-most in NCAA history.

"This decision hasn't been easy," Maclin said. "As much as I love you guys. ... I feel like I'm ready for the next level."

Maclin burst onto the scene in 2007, compiling 2,776 all-purpose yards - a single-season freshman record. It was the fifth-most ever by any player in a season in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The first-team All-American capped his short collegiate career in thrilling fashion. He returned a punt for a TD and caught a 7-yard TD pass in overtime to help Missouri rally for a 30-23 win over Northwestern in the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 29.

Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel agreed with Maclin's decision to go pro.

"That's the right thing for him, which is ultimately the right thing for our program," Pinkel said. "He asked me if I thought he was ready, and I said, 'Yes.' Maybe that's being too honest, but it's the truth."

Maclin sat out his first year in Columbia after injuring his knee during summer workouts, and said the prospect of another serious injury was a major factor in his decision-making process.

"It's definitely something you think about," he said. "In a worst-case scenario, you get hurt and you can never play football again."