Katzenmoyer Leaves Ohio State for NFL

Andy Katzenmoyer’s junior season was not as good as his sophomore one, but it was good enough to convince him he’s ready for the NFL.

The first freshman to start at linebacker for Ohio State will skip his senior season and be available for the NFL draft, the school said Friday.

Defensive coordinator Fred Pagac said Katzenmoyer told him that he notified the NFL of his decision. Friday was the deadline for underclassmen to declare.

Katzenmoyer became the first sophomore to win the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker, in 1997.

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Florida State junior All-American receiver Peter Warrick said he would return to school for his final season of eligibility.

The Seminoles did lose junior defensive tackle Larry Smith, who said he would skip his final year.

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Other players who announced they would skip their senior seasons to enter the draft were offensive tackle Solomon Page of West Virginia, a two-time first-team All-Big East selection; Clemson offensive guard Corey Hulsey, a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection; and North Carolina cornerback Dre’ Bly, a second-team All American in 1998.

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The University of Washington has completed its search for a coach, but won’t announce who it is before this weekend, Athletic Director Barbara Hedges said. Among those considered in the running are Toledo Coach Gary Pinkel and Idaho Coach Chris Tormey. Former Texas Coach John Mackovic said he also had interviewed for the job, but that he hadn’t been offered the position.

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Azusa Pacific Coach Vic Shealy, who guided the Cougars to the NAIA championship last month, resigned to become the defensive backs coach at Air Force.