Willis McGahee, who tore two knee ligaments in the Fiesta Bowl, said in a statement released by his uncle Monday that he had decided to forgo his final two seasons at the University of Miami and enter the NFL draft in April.
McGahee, who completed the best season for a Hurricanes running back before being injured in Miami’s loss to Ohio State on Jan. 3, decided after getting three medical opinions. One surgeon told McGahee his surgically repaired left knee should be healed in time for the next NFL season.
“I said I was going to be the best running back in college, and I think I did that, and I’m going to be the best running back in the NFL,” McGahee told the Miami Herald Monday night.
Miami junior receiver Andre Johnson also said he would go pro.
– Tommy Thigpen, who coached cornerbacks and special teams at Bowling Green the last two years, was hired as Illinois’ new cornerbacks coach. Thigpen played linebacker for two years with the New York Giants (1993-94) and two years with the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe.
