ATHENS, Ga. -- Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker said he has received 'overtures' from the United States Football League but had not signed anything, a University of Georgia spokesman said early Friday.
There were widespead reports that the All-American running back had been talking with a USFL team, believed to be the New Jersey Generals.
Efforts to reach USFL officials proved fruitless late Thursday and early Friday and no one answered the telephone at the Generals' training site in Orlando, Fla.
Claude Felton, sports information director for Georgia, said that Walker was in Athens and had talked with Georgia Coach Vince Dooley about the reports.
'Herschel told Dooley that a USFL team made overtures to him but that he absolutely had not signed anything that would jeopardize his NCAA eligibility,' Felton said.
Felton added that he would be 'really surprised' if Walker, a junior, did jump to professional football before he graduates.
'He has said he wants to participate in the Olympics,' Felton said. 'Track is his first love and he sees the Olympics as a real possiblity.'
Dooley had said Thursday night that he did not know anything about the reports of a USFL offer to Walker, but said he has received calls 'from around the country.'
'From what I understand, a team from the USFL has made overtures to Walker,' he said. 'If this is true, they broke their pledge not to recruit players with college eligibility left and I think that is a terrible way for the USFL to get started.'
