OSU juniors urged to seek early NFL entry

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel has told 13 juniors on this season's football team to file paperwork for early entry into the NFL.

He told reporters Thursday he encouraged the players to file with the NFL's College Advisory Committee for an evaluation of where they might be drafted and to avoid distractions.

"It's hard to guard against life being a distraction because that's part of some people's lives right now," Tressel said during Media Day before the top-ranked Buckeyes clash with LSU in the BCS national championship game Jan. 7 in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans.

"You have to work hard at being where you need to be mentally at the moment you need to be there. I don't look for that being a huge distraction, but, again, we're people, and I'd like to think we'll handle that well," he said.

Among the players are quarterback Todd Boeckman, linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman and offensive lineman Alex Boone.