Ginn, Peterson Going Pro; Brohm Staying

Ted Ginn Jr. and Adrian Peterson both sprinted to touchdowns the last time they touched the ball in college. Next up, they hope to score big in the NFL. <br/><br/>Ginn, Ohio State's game-breaking receiver

Tuesday, January 16th 2007, 6:29 am

By: News On 6

Ted Ginn Jr. and Adrian Peterson both sprinted to touchdowns the last time they touched the ball in college. Next up, they hope to score big in the NFL.

Ginn, Ohio State's game-breaking receiver and return man, and Peterson, Oklahoma's fleet running back, will pass up their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft. Monday was the deadline for underclassmen to declare their intentions.

``It was a hard, tough decision,'' Ginn said in a phone interview. ``It was just a great time for me to go.''

A week after his team lost to Florida 41-14 in the national championship game, Ohio State tailback Antonio Pittman also said he was leaving early for the NFL.

Record-breaking Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan declared himself eligible for the draft, too, but left himself the option of returning to the Warriors.

Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, however, said he was staying in school.

``I went back and forth a little bit,'' he said. ``But I think in the beginning I always wanted to come back. That was really what I wanted to do.''

Ginn sprained his left ankle while celebrating after he returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in Ohio State's loss to Florida. His dazzling speed is expected to make him a first-round pick, even though he's likely to miss the NFL scouting combine because his foot will be in a boot for up to five weeks.

Ted Ginn Sr., the star's father and high school coach, said the family struggled through the weekend about the decision. In the end, the financial opportunities in the NFL won out.

``Not being able to see your son come out of that tunnel in the Ohio State atmosphere, that's major for us,'' Ginn Sr. said. ``He didn't feel like he had completed the things he should have completed at Ohio State.''

Ginn and Pittman will join receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who announced last week that he would give up his final season of eligibility to turn pro.

Pittman said providing for his 5-month-old daughter was one of his motivations for going to the NFL.

``This is a decision that's going to affect my family, not just my family here, but my family at Ohio State,'' he said.

Peterson also will pass up his senior year. He missed seven games last season because of a broken collarbone, and still ran for 1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Peterson returned from his injury to run for 77 yards and two touchdowns in Oklahoma's 43-42 overtime loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. His final carry for the Sooners was a 25-yard TD run in overtime.

``In the end, I think I just realized that this is a business decision and that it is time for me to take that next step,'' Peterson said in a statement released by the university.

``It wasn't easy,'' he said. ``I haven't been sleeping much.''

Peterson ran for 4,045 yards in three seasons, ranking behind only 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims (4,118) and Joe Washington (4,071) on Oklahoma's career rushing list.

Peterson's 1,925 yards in 2004 were a school rushing record and the most by a freshman in NCAA history.

``I know this has been a trying time for him and he just needs to know that we support him wholeheartedly,'' coach Bob Stoops said. ``Adrian has been a great individual player and a great teammate.''

Brennan filed as a formality to meet the NFL deadline, yet is still making up his mind. He had 72 hours to make an official decision.

Brennan set the NCAA record with 58 touchdown passes last season in leading Hawaii to an 11-3 mark. He led the nation in passing yards, total offense, passing efficiency and completion percentage.

Brohm will stay at Louisville after helping the Cardinals to a No. 6 ranking.

``I have a good opportunity to enter the draft and have a good position in the draft,'' Brohm said. ``However, I still feel like there's still some things we can do here. There's a lot of things we can still accomplish.''

Brohm threw for 3,049 yards and 16 touchdowns in leading Louisville to a 12-1 record, a Big East title and a win in the Orange Bowl over Wake Forest.

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino resigned Jan. 7 to become coach of the Atlanta Falcons, and star running back Michael Bush is entering the draft after missing most of the season with a broken right leg.

Also, Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson and Charleston Southern receiver Maurice Price will skip their senior seasons to enter the draft.

Jackson played sparingly in the Cotton Bowl against Auburn after breaking his right hand in the Big 12 title game. He had 989 yards rushing and eight touchdowns in 2006, earning All-Big 12 honors.

Price caught 103 passes last season, most among players in the top two levels of college football. In three seasons, he set Big South Conference records with 202 catches for 2,429 yards, and scored 19 touchdowns.