Two LSU players to try to go pro

• Tweet

BATON ROUGE, La., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- After a co-national championship season, LSU is losing two key offensive parts.

Quarterback Matt Mauck and wide receiver Michael Clayton will forgo their senior years of college eligibility and enter the NFL draft. The duo helped the Tigers to a 13-1 record and a share of the national championship with Southern California.

Mauck set a school record with 28 touchdown passes this past season and was 18-2 in his career as a starter.

"I want to give it my best shot and hopefully it will work out," said Mauck, who turns 25 in February.

In three years at LSU, Clayton caught 182 passes for 2,582 yards and a school-record 21 touchdowns.

"I think it is in my best interest and my family's best interest to forgo my senior year and enter myself into the 2004 draft," Clayton said.

Mauck, a pre-med major, graduated in December and said he plans to attend dental school at some point in the future.