Andre Ware Reported on Way to NFL

Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware will forgo his final year of eligibility at Houston to enter the 1990 NFL draft, the Houston Post reported today.

However, Cougars Coach John Jenkins said today that the report is premature.

“Anything that comes from anyone other than Andre is speculation,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, a decision is coming soon, but Andre is the one who will decide his future.”

Quarterback Ware led the Cougars to a 9-2 record last season and won the Heisman Trophy shortly after the season finale against the Rice Owls. He originally said he planned to return to Houston for his senior season.

“Andre has all the information he needs to make a decision, but to my knowledge he hasn’t made it yet,” Jenkins said. “But there’s certainly no reason for him to rush his decision-making process.”

Ware has been participating in Houston’s spring drills and was expected for today’s workout.

A major factor behind the 1989 Heisman Trophy winner’s decision to enter the draft this year is the impending entry-level wage scale, which would reduce significantly the size of rookie contracts, the Post said.

NFL owners are meeting this week in Orlando, Fla. They planned to meet in a previously unscheduled session today to discuss the labor issue, and the entry-level wage scale was expected to be on the agenda, the newspaper said.

Ever since he won the Heisman, Ware has repeatedly said he has not made up his mind about whether to stay in college. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback threw for 4,699 yards and 46 touchdown passes with only 15 interceptions last season.