Moss Going to NFL, Williams Is Staying

Randy Moss moved on Thursday. Ricky Williams, however, passed on the NFL draft for another season at Texas.

The mad dash to the NFL reached the home stretch as many top college stars chose to pass up their remaining years of eligibility in favor of big bucks in the pros.

Underclassmen have until the “end of the business day” today to decide whether to make themselves available for the NFL draft in April. By late Thursday, no fewer than five All-Americans had done so, including Moss.

Moss, Marshall’s stellar wide receiver, caught 96 passes for 1,820 yards and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound redshirt sophomore set a Division I-A record with 25 touchdown catches.

“Randy Moss will have more impact next season in the NFL than any other player out there,” Marshall Coach Bob Pruett said.

In something of a surprise, Williams, the 6-foot, 220-pounder who led the nation in rushing (1,893 yards) and scoring, opted to play for new Coach Mack Brown, who replaced John Mackovic.

“When I came here three years ago, I set a lot of personal and team goals--to win a lot of games, maybe win the Heisman and get my degree--and that’s why I’ve decided to come back for another year,” Williams said.

Others opting for an early exit from school Thursday included Clemson All-American linebacker Anthony Simmons and Auburn linebacker Takeo Spikes.

Expected to disclose their intentions today are: Florida wide receiver Jacquez Green, Louisiana State running back Kevin Faulk and offensive lineman Alan Faneca, West Virginia running back Amos Zereoue and Arizona State safety Mitchell Freedman.

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A stadium expansion and Peyton Manning at quarterback helped Tennessee end Michigan’s stranglehold on the national team attendance title for 1997.

Michigan had won the title in each of the past 24 seasons, but the Wolverines wound up second to Tennessee by 90 fans, 106,538 to 106,448 in average home attendance.