Beavers’ Browner Going Pro

Brandon Browner, a cornerback whose combination of size and speed could make him a first-round pick in April’s NFL draft, has decided to leave Oregon State, the university announced Thursday.

Browner, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Sylmar, is eligible for the draft because he redshirted in 2002.

Browner started 23 games in his Oregon State career. As a freshman in 2003, he intercepted six passes and was named the Pacific 10 Conference freshman of the year.

Browner earned honorable mention all-conference honors this season and was a candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.

Oregon State will open the 2005 season with three new starters in the secondary. The last time the team did not return at least two starters in the defensive backfield was in 1989.

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Miami receiver Roscoe Parrish announced he would forgo his final season of eligibility and make himself available for the NFL draft.

Parrish becomes the fourth Miami player in the last two seasons to come out early.

Parrish was Miami’s top receiver, catching 43 passes for 693 yards. He also averaged 16.2 yards on punt returns, running two back for touchdowns -- including one in the Hurricanes’ Peach Bowl victory over Florida.

Parrish, the first player offered a scholarship by Larry Coker after his promotion to head coach four years ago, follows Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow and Vince Wilfork -- all first-round picks in 2004 -- among players recently leaving Miami early. Running back Frank Gore also is considering whether to forgo his final season of eligibility.

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Syracuse has received permission from the Buffalo Bills to interview defensive coordinator Jerry Gray for their coaching vacancy.

Gray was not available for comment and has not returned messages since the team’s season ended last weekend.

Syracuse also is interested in New York Jet defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson.

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Running back Eddie Moss has resigned from the Air Force Academy after a cadet honor board found him guilty of cheating in a behavioral sciences class. Moss rushed for 81 yards in 10 carries in five games