Iowa star beats NFL draft deadline

IOWA CITY, Iowa, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Iowa's Dallas Clark, who won the John Mackey Award as the top tight end in the country, went to the deadline Wednesday before deciding to enter the NFL draft.

Wednesday afternoon was the deadline for underclassmen to file for the draft, scheduled for April 26-27 in New York.

"It's been a tough decision, one of the toughest I've ever had to make," Clark said. "Over the last few days, I've felt very comfortable with this decision. I have asked NFL personnel questions about life as an NFL player and what the routine is like. I found out that it is quite similar to what I'm doing here."

Clark was a key member of an Iowa team that went 11-2 this season and advanced to the Orange Bowl, where it lost to Southern California. He caught 43 passes for 742 yards and four touchdowns.

Another notable Big Ten Conference player, Michigan defensive lineman Shantee Orr, said in Wednesday's editions of the Detroit News that he plans to bypass his senior season and enter the NFL draft. He started eight games this season and had 24 tackles, including six sacks.

Defending national champion Ohio State breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday when receiver Michael Jenkins and defensive tackle Will Smith announced they will return for their senior season.

"I gave it a little thought about leaving, but I never seriously considered it," said Jenkins, who caught 61 passes for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Kentucky's Jared Lorenzen became the second Southeastern Conference quarterback in as many days to announce his intention to remain for his senior season. Eli Manning of Mississippi did the same Tuesday.

The complete list of eligible underclassmen is expected to be released later this week. Prominent players who already have declared their intention to enter the draft include Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers, running back Willis McGahee and receiver Andre Johnson of Miami and Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs.