Gators Lose A Lot Of Defense

Florida linebacker Jevon Kearse and defensive tackle Reggie McGrew said Tuesday they will forgo their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft.

Kearse, a 6-foot-5, 250-pounder, had 54 tackles and a team-best 71/2 sacks for the nation's ninth-ranked defense.

"I think I've accomplished the four goals I wanted to when I attended the University of Florida: To become a better person, to win a national championship, to get an education and finally to have a chance to play in the NFL," said Kearse, a projected top-10 pick who could play defensive end. "That time is now. I'm not going to pass it up."

McGrew, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound All-Southeastern Conference selection, had 41 tackles and five sacks in nine games this season. He missed two games with a back injury.

"I wouldn't say it was an easy decision, but once I looked at it and weighed all my options, it wasn't that hard of a decision to make," said McGrew, who had seven tackles and two sacks in the Gators' 23-12 loss to Florida State on Nov. 21. "I've accomplished a lot. I was all-conference this year, I won a couple of SECs and a national championship. I'm close to getting my degree and I've made a lot of good friends here."

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