Two seasons into what already has been a standout college career, Pittsburgh receiver Admin Fitzgerald early this week will be declared eligible for the 2004 NFL draft, league sources have told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

 

 

Because he is a true sophomore, Fitzgerald has not been considered eligible for the draft based on the NFL rule that prevents players from entering the draft until three NFL seasons have "elapsed" -- language that has evolved into a league policy stating that players must be three years out of high school.

 

 

However, the NFL is verifying that Fitzgerald indeed earned enough credits at a military school he transferred to during his senior year of high school to qualify for the draft, sources have told Mortensen. In that case, Fitzgerald would meet the league requirement of being three years removed from his prep graduating class, and thus be eligible to enter the draft.

 

 

Fitzgerald submitted his application for the draft ahead of last Thursday's deadline for underclassmen to declare whether they'll return to school or enter the draft, the sources told Mortensen. Fitzgerald has been projected as a top 5 pick in the April draft.

 

 

Fitzgerald finished second to Oklahoma senior quarterback Jason White in Heisman Trophy voting (1,481-1,353) last month. Fitzgerald, who set an NCAA record with touchdown catches in 18 straight games, was trying to become the first sophomore to win the award.

 

 

Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 87 catches for 1,595 yards and 22 touchdowns, but Pittsburgh finished 8-4. He caught at least one touchdown pass in all 12 games -- tying Randy Moss' single-season NCAA record.

 

 

He also set seven Big East records while leading the nation in receiving yards per game (132.9), total receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns.

 

 

It is not know if Fitzgerald's receiving draft clearance will impact suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett's lawsuit challenging the NFL's early-entry rule. A decision in that case is expected by Feb. 1. Alan Milstein, Clarett's lawyer, has argued that Clarett technically meets the standard of the actual rule because he graduated high school early -- in December 2001 before that particular NFL season had elapsed -- but that the policy should be dumped anyway on anti-trust grounds.

 

 

Another of Clarett's attorneys, Percy Squire, said Clarett wants to play for Ohio State next season. Squire said Friday that Clarett always has wanted to return to the Buckeyes, but filed the lawsuit because he did not know whether he would be allowed to play for them again.

 

 

Information from ESPN.com senior writer Tom Farrey and The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

Maybe he'll slip all the way down to 20?

 

In all seriousness though, he won't leave the top 3, dropping Big Ben. Meaning either we can land a better QB because of that drop or a better WR thanks to another stud receiver in the class. Good Stuff. Let us hope they use the pick wisely this time.

Nice which means unless they are utter morons, Big Ben is most likely, A NY GIANT!

 

I pray to god they don't screw this up, leave The O-line for FA, Collins can not carry this team for much longer, even next year is a push.

i'm sure glad i'm not a pittsburgh panther football fan

i'm sure glad i'm not a pittsburgh panther football fan

Damn, The joy of Big Ben has just been brought to a halt, I'm confident with The Panthers this year that they can still be a top 25 team.

Big Ben is not falling past the Cardinals, provided they either

 

 

a) dont trade up.

 

b) they are able to take manning at 3.

Big Ben is not falling past the Cardinals, provided they either

 

 

a) dont trade up.

 

b) they are able to take manning at 3.

You had to bring me back to earth DIDN'T you

 

yes.

 

 

i couldnt help it.

Raiders take Fitz - Credit West Coast Sports Radio Morons...

The Raiders have bigger problems than WR

Rune,

 

they have Gannon, they have Tuiasosopo, they know Rice and Brown are on the way out and they also know IF Fitz is available for Denny Green he will be taken...

I'm curious why this is big for the Phins?

 

Fitz, Big Ben, and Eli all aren't falling to you, and the odds are slim you will be able to trade up to the top 3 and get any of them (I know you guys want one of the qb's).

what the phins should do is trade up fro robert gallary...

I'm curious why this is big for the Phins?

 

Fitz, Big Ben, and Eli all aren't falling to you, and the odds are slim you will be able to trade up to the top 3 and get any of them (I know you guys want one of the qb's).

Because now with an extra WR in the class that is top rate, our chances of landing a stud at that position increase dramatically. Plus, if some team takes a WR now instead of a QB like they would have before, it'll increase our chances of a better QB. Works well for us because we need offense, and there is now one more option for every team picking offense first round.

Phins might get lucky and land Reggie Williams.

Phins might get lucky and land Reggie Williams.

Reggie Williams is another one of those guys that you commonly see whose stock would be A LOT higher if he didn't play on the West Coast.

 

He'd be a great pick for the Phins.