*BYU RB Staley to enter NFL draft*
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PROVO, Utah (Ticker) -- Brigham Young running back Luke Staley
will forego his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL
draft, the university announced Wednesday. 

Staley, the Doak Walker winner as the top running back in the
country, rushed for a BYU single-season record of 1,582 yards
before suffering a broken right leg against Mississippi State on
December 1. 

"I feel it is time for me to take my skills to the next level
and achieve some additional goals I have established for
myself," Staley said. "I have decided that this decision is in
my best interest." 

The 6-2, 225-pound Staley, who suffered the injury on the final
drive of the game against Mississippi State, underwent surgery
on December 18 to repair damaged ligaments in his ankle that
resulted from the broken bone in the leg. 

Since he is unable to play in the Liberty Bowl against
Louisville on December 31, Staley wanted to make the
announcement before the bowl game. 

"Hopefully, by announcing my intentions now, there will be no
more distractions at the bowl game and my teammates can focus on
beating Louisville in the Liberty Bowl," he said. 

Staley led the nation in scoring at 15.5 points per game and
ranked third in rushing, averaging 143.8 yards per contest. He
set another BYU mark by rushing for 28 touchdowns in 2001. 

Staley missed BYU's 72-45 loss to Hawaii on December 8 that
ended the Cougars' hopes of a 13-0 regular season. 

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