Texas Tech WR Crabtree to enter NFL draft

Jan 10, 2009 - 12:11 AM LUBBOCK, Texas (Ticker) -- Texas Tech All-American sophomore wide receiver Michael Crabtree is expected to announce he will forego his final two years of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

Crabtree's father told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that his son will go pro, and ESPN reported that a decision will be announced at a 3 p.m. EST news conference on Tuesday.

The only two-time Biletnikoff winner as the nation's top receiver, Crabtree is a projected top-five pick if he indeed enters the NFL draft.

He was slowed by a nagging ankle injury this past season, and Crabtree's father - also named Michael Crabtree - told the newspaper that his son will enter the draft rather than risk a bigger injury next season.

Crabtree caught 97 passes for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. As good as those numbers are, they pale in comparison to his record-breaking freshman campaign of 2007.

The 6-3, 214-pounder set NCAA freshman records by hauling in 134 passes for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns a season ago.

The highlight of Crabtree's sophomore season was one of the most memorable plays of the college football season.

On November 1, Crabtree and Graham Harrell hooked up on a last second 28-yard touchdown pass, lifting the Red Raiders to 39-33 win over archrival Texas that dashed the Longhorns' national title hopes.