Williams Eyes NFL, Will Leave Huskies

Washington receiver Reggie Williams said Monday he will pass up his senior season and make himself available for the NFL draft.

“I believe I’m going to be the first pick,” Williams said. “I’m going to strive hard, work hard in the off-season, preparing for the combine and the workouts I’m going to have. Hopefully, I’m going to be the top pick.”

Williams called it a difficult decision. He said he consulted his family, Washington Coach Keith Gilbertson and “various NFL people” before deciding to leave school.

Williams was a first-team All-American as a sophomore, setting a single-season school record with 94 catches for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had 89 receptions for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

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Rick Neuheisel’s lawyer addressed the Pacific 10 Conference compliance and enforcement commission during a 2 1/2-hour hearing at San Francisco, arguing the former Washington coach, who attended the hearing, didn’t know his involvement in NCAA basketball pools was wrong.

The conference is expected to conclude its portion of the investigation in March, then turn the findings over to the NCAA.

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J.D. Brookhart was hired as coach at Akron, replacing Lee Owens, who was fired Nov. 16 after a 7-5 season.

Brookhart was offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh the last three seasons.

From Associated Press