Woodson, Leaf will leave school, play as pros

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Two of the 1998 Rose Bowl's brightest stars will be playing in the NFL next season. Washington State junior quarterback Ryan Leaf announced at a news conference last Friday that he will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. Meanwhile, sources said Michigan junior cornerback and Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson will make a similar announcement this week.

Woodson

Leaf and Woodson played major roles in last Thursday's Rose Bowl - which No. 1-ranked Michigan won, 21-16, to capture a share of its first national title since 1948 - and in their teams' sterling seasons. Both players are expected to be top-five picks in the draft.

Woodson isn't expected to announce his decision until Friday. When asked after the game what his intentions were, he said only, "I'll tell you next week." Two players said Woodson had made his decision before the game, with one saying, "He's gone."

Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr confirmed last Friday that Woodson has made his decision, but Carr would not confirm that Woodson will enter the draft. He did say, however, that Woodson's announcement "will not be a surprise."

Woodson became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman and was a threat at cornerback, at wide receiver and on special teams. He played best in big games and in big situations, serving as a catalyst for the Wolverines' run to their first 12-0 record in history. His interception in the end zone during last Thursday's second quarter stopped the Cougars from taking a 14-0 lead and gave his team the momentum it needed to win.

Before the Rose Bowl, Carr spoke of Woodson's two-way talent and said, "It's going to be interesting how he's used at the next level. He's a special player, and I think he'll make an impact."

Leaf

Leaf is almost certain to make an immediate impact in the NFL, but giving up his final year of eligibility wasn't easy.

"I don't want to leave college football, but every player has to make the decision about when it's time to move on," said Leaf, who was flanked by his parents and Coach Mike Price at the Cougars' hotel here. "Playing pro football has always been a dream for me, and with all the new experiences in new cities coming up in the pros, only the best lies ahead."

While leading his team to its first Rose Bowl since the 1930 season, and back from last year's 5-6 record, Leaf threw for 3,968 yards and 34 touchdowns as the Cougars finished 10-2. The Heisman finalist was 17 of 35 for 331 yards in the Rose Bowl, with one interception and one touchdown.

Leaf came close to staying for a fifth year, even though he is just 16 credits short of a degree and likely will graduate this spring. When Woodson's name was called at the Heisman presentation in New York last month, Leaf turned to Price and said, "Coach, I want to stay."

The tradition of college football, Leaf said, made him "emotional" at that moment, but the advice Leaf was given in the end was enough to convince him it was time to go.

"I didn't know if I was ready or mature enough," said Leaf, who walked off the field last Thursday blowing goodbye kisses to the Washington State fans. He will be represented by agent Leigh Steinberg. "I wouldn't have done this if people didn't tell me I was ready to leave. It wasn't like, 'Maybe you could.' They said, 'I know you're ready.' That was what put me over the top."

01-07-98