TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama running back Mark Ingram, defensive lineman Marcell Dareus and receiver Julio Jones said Friday they are leaving school early for the NFL draft.
Ingram, Dareus and Jones all are projected to be drafted in the first round.
“It’s been the best experience of my life,” Ingram said. “I will always bleed crimson.”
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower said he will return for his final year.
Alabama coach Nick Saban indicated more players could be on the way out, but he didn’t reveal any names.
“We still have guys who are trying to make decisions,” he said.
• Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith, who had 5 1/2 sacks along with 48 tackles despite missing three games with a broken leg in 2010, said he will forgo his final two seasons of college eligibility to enter the NFL draft.
• Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden, one of four unanimous choices to the Pac-10 all-conference first team, announced he is returning for his senior season.
• Wisconsin running back John Clay, who had 1,012 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns this season, said he will enter the draft.
• Georgia offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant said he will return for his senior season.
• UCLA free safety Rahim Moore, who led the nation with 10 interceptions in 2009, said he will forgo his senior season and enter the draft.
Buckeye Pryor has surgery
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor underwent surgery on his right foot, injured in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s 31-26 Sugar Bowl victory over Arkansas. The surgery stabilized some ligaments.
Pelini denies report
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said “there is no truth” to a report he would listen to Michigan if there was interest. The Wolverines fired Rich Rodriguez this week.
Patterson gets extension
FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU extended coach Gary Patterson’s contract two years through the 2018 season.
Patterson is 98-28 in 10 seasons with TCU and has won at least 11 games in six of the last eight seasons.
Footnotes.
Dennis Franchione signed a five-year contract to coach at Texas State, returning to college football a long way from the bright lights and big money of Alabama and Texas A&M.
• Texas hired Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin to handle the play- calling for the Longhorns.
• Notre Dame backup offensive lineman Alex Bullard is transferring to an undisclosed school closer to his family in Franklin, Tenn., following the death of his father from cancer.
• Bo Levi Mitchell led three consecutive late touchdown drives of 80, 89 and 69 yards, the finale coming with 2:47 left, leading Eastern Washington (13-2) to a 20-19 victory over Delaware (12-3) and its first FCS championship in Frisco, Texas.
