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College football

Ex-FSU QB goes I-AA rout

Former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson, who is facing criminal charges as well as an investigation into rumors of gambling, has enrolled at Murray State.

The school plays in Division I-AA, which means that McPherson, a sophomore, will be eligible next season. Had he gone to a I-A school such as South Florida, he would have had to sit out a season in accordance with NCAA rules.

But his St. Petersburg-based attorney, Grady Irvin, is upset with Murray State for "questionable recruiting tactics."

Irvin told the Times that Racers coach Joe Pannunzio called him on Dec. 30 to ask if Irvin could intervene in helping McPherson find a new school.

"I told him, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' " Irvin said Tuesday night. "He then showed up in Bradenton at the McPhersons' door and Adrian's parents rejected him at that time. We are dispatching a letter to the NCAA saying that Murray State was trying to recruit Adrian before Florida State released him."

That did not occur until Jan. 7. If Murray State had contact with McPherson before then, it could be a violation of NCAA rules.

Irvin said McPherson gave him a list of schools he might want to attend, so the proper paperwork from FSU could be sent and the recruiting process could begin. USF received McPherson's release, but coach Jim Leavitt figured to wait until McPherson's legal issues were settled. West Virginia, Michigan State and Louisville also were reportedly on McPherson's list.

The Racers won the Ohio Valley Conference title and lost to Western Kentucky in the I-AA playoffs. Quarterback Stewart Childress, a three-year starter, will return next season.

Neither Pannunzio nor Murray State athletic director E.W. Dennison could be reached for comment, but the school conducted an "extensive" background check, spokesman Steve Parker said. Parker also stressed that McPherson, 19, will not participate in athletics until the "matter in Florida is resolved."

That could be a while.

Irvin filed a written plea of not guilty Tuesday to the felony and misdemeanor charges his client faces in connection with the theft and cashing of a $3,500 check from a Tallahassee business. He has a Jan. 23 arraignment.

McGahee will go pro

MIAMI -- Sophomore running back Willis McGahee has decided to forgo his final two seasons at Miami and enter the NFL draft, despite sustaining a career-threatening knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl.

Receiver Andre Johnson also is leaving early and is projected to be a first-round pick. McGahee's draft status is much more complicated. He probably will be examined by nearly every team between now and April's draft -- and the results could determine how high he is selected.

McGahee tore two ligaments in his left knee in the fourth quarter of Miami's 31-24 double overtime loss to Ohio State on Jan. 3.

Team officials initially feared McGahee might have done significant damage to the area that delivers blood to the region. But after surgery last week, doctors were optimistic McGahee would be able to play again, maybe even this fall.

ALABAMA: Coach Mike Price hired his son Eric as offensive coordinator and receivers coach.

ARKANSAS: Free safety Ken Hamlin is leaving school a year early to enter the draft.

AUBURN: Linebackers Dontarrious Thomas and Karlos Dansby will return for their senior seasons.

GEORGIA: Tight end Ben Watson will skip his senior season to enter the draft.

MISSISSIPPI: Quarterback Eli Manning will return for his senior season. Manning was expected to be a first-round selection had he entered the draft.

STANFORD: Offensive tackle Kwame Harris will skip his senior season to enter the draft.

TENNESSEE: Sophomore wide receiver Kelley Washington, who played four games last season because of neck and knee injuries, said he will enter the draft.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.

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