Rutgers top receiver Britt to skip senior season, go pro

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers wide receiver Kenny Britt is taking his considerable talents to the NFL.

The junior announced his intentions Saturday to forgo his senior season and declare himself eligible for the draft.

The 20-year-old Britt had 87 receptions for 1,371 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008, including what proved to be the game-winner for the Scarlet Knights in a 29-23 victory over North Carolina State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl on Dec. 29.

"To tell you the truth, I was sitting on the fence," said Britt, who said he made the decision Friday following a two-hour meeting with family members and Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. "It's always been a dream to go to the NFL and the gateway is open, so I feel I want to take my chances and leave early."

Projected as high as a second-round selection, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Britt wrapped up his three-year Rutgers career with 178 catches for 3,043 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Britt, who attended Bayonne High, also was second in the nation with an average of 114.2 yards per game, and is the career Big East leader in receiving yards.

Britt's 14 career 100-yard games are tied for the most in conference history with Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald, now a star with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I know every year I have gotten better, and if I had another year I could raise my level even higher," Britt said. "I did my best to help this team and they did their best to help me. This is real emotional because this is a special place with special people."

Running back Ray Rice was the first player under Schiano to leave Rutgers after his junior season. Rice was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round last year.

"I have a lot of friends in the National Football League, plus my experience coaching in that league, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out what this guy can do," said Schiano, who was an assistant coach with the Chicago Bears from 1996-98.

"He is one of the elite of the elite," Schiano said. "It is with mixed emotions. I'm excited for Kenny and I'm excited for what he is going to do. Although we would have loved to have him back next year, and what he would have done is scary, by the same token he is going to do great things at the next level and he will always be part of our family."

Rutgers (8-5) won its final seven games in 2008 after a 1-5 start.