Colleges

Hayes leaves FSU early for NFL

By BRIAN LANDMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 10, 2008

He didn't finish the season the way he had hoped, but Florida State junior linebacker Geno Hayes has officially and not unexpectedly finished his collegiate career.

He announced Wednesday that he will enter the NFL draft.

"This has been the toughest decision I have ever had to make," Hayes, 20, said in a statement. "I would first like to thank Coach (Bobby) Bowden and Coach (Chuck) Amato and the rest of the coaching staff for giving me all the tools I needed to become a great football player. I would also like to thank my teammates, fellow FSU students and fans for supporting me and, most of all, my family for always showing me love, guidance and support."

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound junior, the Seminoles' lone first-team All-ACC pick, had 80 tackles, five sacks and a team-high 17 1/2 tackles for a loss. He had one interception, a game-clincher against Boston College that he returned for a touchdown.

"It doesn't surprise me that Geno decided to go to the NFL," Bowden said. "I know he has the ability to play at that level. It is just a matter of time. I wish him the best of luck."

Scott Wright, president of nfldraftcountdown.com, said he hasn't fully evaluated Hayes, but projects him as a second- or third-round pick. Junior defensive tackle Letroy Guion, who started eight games but didn't make the trip to the Music City Bowl for an unspecified reason, also could decide to leave early.

MALLETT LEAVES MICHIGAN: Quarterback Ryan Mallett has left Michigan, and the former Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year may end up with Tennessee, which is considering hiring former Michigan offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and quarterbacks coach Scott Loeffler. Mallett's father said Texas A&M, Arkansas and UCLA are among other possibilities. Mallett will sit out next season and have three years of eligibility left.

DRAFT DECLARATIONS: Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo will skip his senior year to enter the NFL draft after leading the SEC with 140 tackles. ... Clemson running back James Davis, who gained more than 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons, will skip his senior season to enter the draft, citing financial reasons. Clemson receiver Aaron Kelly said he would stay in school. ... Chase Holbrook, New Mexico State's record-setting quarterback, said he will return for his senior season. He was projected as a sixth-round pick.

NOTRE DAME: Cornerback Munir Prince will transfer to Missouri. Linebacker Maurice Crum, a former Tampa Bay Tech standout; defensive end Justin Brown; and cornerback Terrail Lambert have applied to the university to return for fifth years.

WASHINGTON: Coach Tyrone Willingham has been elected president of the American Football Coaches Association. He moves up from first vice president of the organization, which was founded in 1922 and has more than 10,000 members. He succeeds Ken Sparks of Carson-Newman.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

[Last modified January 9, 2008, 22:59:38]