Vols' Haynesworth to turn pro; teammates expected to follow

Posted 5:29PM on Tuesday 8th January 2002 ( 23 years ago )

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth started what is expected to be a mass exodus by Volunteers to the NFL when he announced Tuesday that he will give up his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Two more Tennessee underclassmen are expected to make themselves eligible for the draft prior to Friday's deadline to declare: freshman receiver Kelley Washington, a 22-year-old who played minor-league baseball before coming to Tennessee, and junior receiver Donte Stallworth. Haynesworth, a 6-6, 320-pounder, is rated by some as potentially the No. 3 defensive tackle in this year's pro draft. He is a probable first-round pick. "I made my decision just like I made my selection to come to the University of Tennessee," Haynesworth said. "My family and I carefully gathered information from NFL scouts. We met with coaches, and we talked to many present NFL players. "It was based on this information that I made the toughest decision of my life." The draft will include two defensive tackles from Tennessee. John Henderson, the 2000 Outland Trophy winner who stayed for his senior season a year ago, will also be available in the April draft. Asked what he thought about competing with Henderson in the draft, Haynesworth said: "He's John Henderson. "I kind of want to be like him," Haynewsworth said. "As long as I work hard, hopefully, I'll be up there with him." Haynesworth finished the season with 36 total tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, 11 1/2 tackles for loss and seven passes broken up. His best game was against South Carolina, when he had seven tackles, three for a loss. One of those came on a goal-line stand on third down. He improved from his sophomore year in which he recorded 19 total tackles and 5 1/2 tackles for a loss. He had more sacks, though, 3 1/2 a year ago. "I saw a big jump from my sophomore year to my junior year," he said. Haynesworth's mother, Linda from Hartsville, S.C., and brothers Tyriom Edwards and Lance McCoy attended Tuesday's news conference. Haynesworth's 7-month-old son, Ahsharri, and his mother, Amanda Crigger, who live in Knoxville, were also there. Ahsharri slept during his father's announcement. Afterward, Haynesworth bent down to kiss his son's forehead and then picked him up from his mother's arms. "I have a son," he said. "I have to take care of my son and do what's best for him and myself." Another factor was possibly getting hurt and being a lower draft pick next year. "I love Tennessee, and I love running through the T and playing in front of 110,000 people," Haynesworth said. "But also I have to weigh my options as far as getting hurt and looking at past players that got hurt and maybe weren't as dominant their senior year like they were supposed to be." Linda Haynesworth leaned more toward her son staying in school. She said he would have graduated next December. "More or less nervous," she said about the draft. Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer didn't attend Tuesday's announcement. He was out of town and hoped to attend, but his flight was delayed. "Coach Fulmer said he would stand behind me no matter what," Haynesworth said, "and (defensive line) coach (Dan) Brooks did, too." Haynesworth said he thinks he can improve his draft stock in the combine, a time when players are tested in speed and strength exercises in front of scouts. "I got my grade back, which was first round," he said. "So it's all about me doing really well in the combine, lifting weights and running." The Tennessean reported Tuesday that Washington will announce Thursday that he's planning to enter the draft as well. The 6-4, 220-pound Stephens City, Va., native said: "I'm swaying back and forth, (but) I thought earlier that I was probably coming out." Stallworth, projected as a mid-first round to mid-second round selection, is expected to return for his senior year, The News-Sentinel said Tuesday. The decision, to be announced this week, apparently was made after Fulmer visited Stallworth's family in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday. "If they stay, we'll be a much better football team," Fulmer said after Tennessee's 45-17 victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. "That's just being realistic."

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/200451

Vols&#39; Haynesworth to turn pro; teammates expected to follow

Vols' Haynesworth to turn pro; teammates expected to follow