Thu Jan 10 19:26:18 2008

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Oklahoma WR Kelly going pro

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Norman, OK (Sports Network) - Oklahoma University junior wide receiver Malcolm Kelly has decided to forego his senior year and enter the NFL Draft, OU head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Thursday.

"We're excited for Malcolm and his family," said Stoops. "He was an outstanding player in our program and we appreciate all of his efforts. We look forward to watching him in the NFL. He is well-suited to professional football in many ways and we are sure that the attributes that made him such a success for us will serve him equally well on that level."

Kelly caught 49 passes for 821 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007, all good for second-best on the team, as Oklahoma went 11-3, won the Big 12 Championship and earned a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

The Longview, Texas, native is second on the Sooners' all-time touchdown receptions list with 21, behind only current Baltimore Ravens wideout Mark Clayton. He was twice an All-Big 12 second team selection, and accumulated 2,285 yards during his three-year career in Norman.

"I felt like the time was right to make this decision," Kelly said. "My family and I have talked it over for the last few days and decided this was the way to go. I've talked to a lot of other guys who I trust who are playing in the NFL and I value their input. OU and the coaches there gave me the best opportunity to reach the pro level. Going to OU was really the thing that put me in the position to be able to make this decision."