Longhorns' Tight End Finley Headed to NFL

Reprinted under fair use guidelines from Scout.com.

Running back Jamaal Charles announced on Jan. 2 that he would be skipping his senior season for a chance to play in the NFL.

Prior to this season, only one player in school history -- Vince Young -- had left school with eligibility remaining to jump to the professional ranks.

In only two seasons, Finley made a significant mark on the UT record books. His 45 catches in 2007 were No. 2 on the Longhorn single-season list and his 575 yards receiving ranked third on the UT single-season list for tight ends. He set a single-game record for tight ends with 149 yards receiving this year against Oklahoma, which included catches of 58 and 55 yards.

"The NFL is every football player's dream and when my NFL grade came back, it was encouraging and I felt like it was in my best interest to enter the draft," Finley said. "I've worked really hard for three years at Texas to prepare for this and I think I'm ready for the challenge."