Nevada receiver Burleson headed for NFL draft

Tuesday December 17, 2002

RENO, Nev. (AP) Nate Burleson will give up a chance to again lead the nation in receiving and will leave Nevada to enter the NFL draft.

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound senior led the nation in receptions (11.5) and was second in yardage (135.8).

Burleson said Tuesday that he made the ``very tough decision'' over the last few weeks with the help of family and friends.

``My dad just told me to follow my heart,'' he said. ``Playing in the NFL has always been my dream, so now that I have this opportunity, I'd like to give it a chance.''

Nevada's most valuable player this season, Burleson earned first-team honors in the Western Athletic Conference and second-team All-America honors.

He ranks third on Nevada's career list with 248 receptions, fourth in yards receiving with 3,293 and seventh with 22 touchdowns. His 19 receptions against Texas-El Paso are a school record for a single game and his 138 catches this year set a record for a season. He fell just short of the NCAA mark of 142.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)