Couch Reportedly Leaving Kentucky

Tim Couch is reportedly ready to turn pro, giving up his senior year as Kentucky’s quarterback for the riches of the NFL.

ESPN reported Couch has contacted NFL offices to request a faxed copy of the paperwork he must file by Friday to declare his eligibility for the league’s draft and was selecting an agent.

A University of Kentucky spokesman said Couch hasn’t notified the school that he’s leaving.

The expansion Cleveland Browns hold the No. 1 pick in the draft and reportedly covet Couch, who has impressed NFL scouts with his 6-foot-5, 225-pound size, accuracy, touch and experience in Kentucky’s pro-style passing offense.

Couch’s mother, Janice, said from the family’s home in Hyden, Ky., that an announcement about her son’s plans was scheduled for Thursday.

Couch, who finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, helped lead the nation’s second-ranked offense this season, completing 72% of his passes for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns.

He led Kentucky to a 7-4 record, the school’s best since 1984, and took the Wildcats to their first New Year’s bowl game since 1952. Couch threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns as Kentucky lost to Penn State in the Outback Bowl.

*

Edgerrin James, the University of Miami’s record-setting running back, said he will forgo his senior year of eligibility to make himself available for the NFL draft.

James set a single-season rushing record with 1,416 yards and 19 touchdowns. He is one of only three Miami backs to rush for more than 1,000 yards and the only one to do it in consecutive seasons.

James said he expects to be a first-round pick.

In addition, Florida linebacker Jevon Kearse and defensive tackle Reggie McGrew will forgo their final season of eligibility to make themselves available for the NFL draft, as will Alabama Birmingham linebacker Brian Smith.

*

Florida State receiver Peter Warrick and Ohio State receiver David Boston are reportedly going to make themselves available for the NFL draft.

Warrick hasn’t made an official announcement on his status, although Seminole Coach Bobby Bowden said he believed his star player would turn pro.

Warrick’s departure would leave the Seminoles without their best offensive player for next season. Warrick also returns kicks and has been compared to Dallas Cowboy all-purpose player Deion Sanders.

He probably would be chosen between third and 10th overall in April’s draft, according to NFL scouting services.

Boston has called a news conference for today, and The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported he is expected to announce he will be leaving Ohio State.

The 6-3 Boston holds the Ohio State record for career touchdown catches with 34. He also has set Buckeye records for receptions in a game (14), season (85) and career (191), and receiving yards in a season (1,435) and career (2,855).

Boston’s sister is an attorney and is expected to act as his agent, the newspaper said.

*

Arizona State tailback J.R. Redmond and Indiana defensive end Adewale Ogunleye have decided to stay in school to complete their senior seasons instead of making themselves available for the NFL draft.

Redmond said he was staying with the Sun Devils in part because his coaches have been loyal to him.

“I didn’t pass my SATs in high school and I went to a [junior college],” he said. “The coaches stayed with me. I want to get closer to graduating, if not graduate.”

Redmond, mentioned as a Heisman Trophy contender before the season, ran for 649 of his 883 yards before suffering an ankle injury in the sixth game.

Redmond had a 214-yard game against USC when he was healthy, the ninth best in Arizona State history.

Besides starting at tailback, Redmond returns punts and kickoffs. He had 136 return yards against USC, setting a school record with 350 all-purpose yards.

Ogunleye is Indiana’s career leader in sacks and tackles for losses. The 6-5, 260-pound senior will graduate in May and plans to enroll in graduate school during the 1999 season.

*

David Saunders, West Virginia’s career receptions leader, was denied his bid for a rare sixth year of college eligibility.

Saunders, who caught a school record-tying 77 passes for 883 yards and eight touchdowns this season, missed the entire 1997 season after tearing knee ligaments at the start of practice.

“The NCAA staff based its decision on precedent,” said Brad Cox, West Virginia’s compliance director. “In the past, they approved an extra year only for someone who was injured two seasons.”