Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson announced Monday that he would give up his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
By most accounts, Johnson will be one of the top players selected. The 6-foot-5-inch, 235-pounder runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and has a 45-inch vertical leap.
“I think the sky’s the limit,” Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey said. “He has all the tangible factors to be a great, great player. He has all the intangible factors to be a great, great player.”
Michigan’s Alan Branch also is skipping his senior year to enter the draft. The 6-foot-6-inch, 311-pound defensive tackle, a second-team All-American, is projected as a first-round pick.
The Jets’ Curtis Martin, the NFL’s No. 4 all-time rusher, reiterated that he has probably played his last game because of a bone-on-bone right knee injury that sidelined him all season.
“Yeah, I’m good with it,” he said. “I’ve come to grips that my career is probably over.”
The Jaguars hired former Arizona State head coach Dirk Koetter as their offensive coordinator. . . . Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard (dislocated right elbow) will miss Saturday’s game against the Saints. . . . Steelers assistant Russ Grimm will interview Tuesday for the Cardinals’ head-coaching vacancy.
