Steve Walsh to Turn Pro, Leave Miami

Quarterback Steve Walsh said today he will turn pro and skip his final year of eligibility at the University of Miami “with an undescribable feeling of satisfaction.”

Walsh said he had nearly accomplished his goals to win a national championship, “become the best player I could be” and obtain a finance degree, so “I feel right now is the best opportunity for me to move on.”

He said he has not heard from any teams and has not picked an agent yet.

“A new set of goals are waiting for me to try to meet, and a new set of challenges are awaiting for me to try to accomplish,” Walsh said at a news conference at the university.

Walsh skipped a spring practice session Monday to think about his choices and met briefly with new Coach Dennis Erickson.

Will Get Degree

April 10 is the NFL deadline for written notification by Walsh of his intention to enter the draft April 23. If he decides to enter either the July or September supplemental draft, he can wait until after then to apply.

Walsh is eligible to forgo his senior season for the pros because he will earn his degree this summer.

Erickson, who took over as Hurricanes’ coach after Jimmy Johnson departed to coach the Dallas Cowboys, said he had received no advance word of Walsh’s decision.

Walsh, 22, was a first-team All-American last season and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. The two-year starter has led the Hurricanes to a 23-1 record, including a pair of Orange Bowl victories, the last two seasons.

Miami finished No. 2 to Notre Dame last season but took the national championship the year before.

Walsh set a school record with 28 touchdown passes last season, and he is tied with Vinny Testaverde for the most career scoring passes at 48. He also holds or shares school records for completions and touchdown passes in one game.