Hurricanes lose two

Taylor, Wilfork headed to NFL; Winslow, Rolle could follow

MIAMI (AP) -- Sean Taylor and Vince Wilfork have played their final game for Miami.

Both defensive stars said after the Orange Bowl on Thursday night that they'll pass up their final season of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.

All-America tight end Kellen Winslow and cornerback Antrel Rolle could be joining Taylor and Wilfork. Rolle said he will consider skipping his senior season, but only if he's projected as a first-round draft pick. Winslow made no immediate announcement after Miami's 16-14 win over Florida State.

"I don't know yet," Winslow said.

For the Seminoles, All-America left tackle Alex Barron said he will petition the NFL underclassman advisory council for feedback on where he might get selected and then make a decision on his future.

"It's an option," Barron said. "It's crossed my mind a couple of times. How can it not cross my mind with all that's going on, with all the accomplishments I had this year?"

Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound safety, finished the season tied for the national lead in interceptions with 10, including a nation-leading three returned for touchdowns.

Wilfork, a 6-foot-2, 344-pound defensive tackle, is a run-stopper who had six sacks and a team-high 20 quarterback hurries. Wilfork could have turned pro after his sophomore season -- and probably would have been a first-round selection -- but returned to school because he promised his parents before their deaths in 2002 that he would graduate.

If Rolle leaves early, the Hurricanes would lose eight starters from a defense that ranked third in the nation. Rolle, who has become a shutdown corner, held the nation's top receiver, Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald, to three catches for 26 yards in Miami's last regular-season game.

If Winslow leaves early, he probably will be the only offensive player to do so.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end led the Hurricanes with 60 catches for 605 yards, but didn't score a touchdown after the season opener.

"I know I'm ready," Winslow said before the Orange Bowl. "But I'm in college, I'm 20 and I'm just going to have fun. After the season, we'll evaluate what's best for me."

OFF THE BENCH: Florida State All-America left tackle Alex Barron and safety B.J. Ward came off the bench in the first quarter against Miami. Neither player started the Orange Bowl after missing several practices.

Barron, a 6-foot-6, 319-pound junior who started all 12 games this season, missed six days of practice, including three last week when he returned home following the death of his grandmother. He sat out the first two series before replacing freshman Mario Henderson, who made his first career start.

Ward missed five days of practice because of a personal family issue in Texas. He replaced Pat Watkins on the opening drive.

SACKING MIAMI: Florida State sacked Brock Berlin on the Hurricanes' final two offensive plays of the first half, marking the first time the Seminoles managed to sack a Miami quarterback in the last five games between the teams.

For a defense that has traditionally gotten to the quarterback often, Florida State's sackless streak against Miami was an obvious source of frustration. Before the game, linebacker Michael Boulware called the streak "embarrassing."

The sacks did help prevent a touchdown and knocked the Hurricanes back 14 yards, but Miami kicker Jon Peattie salvaged the drive by making a 44-yard field goal on the final play of the half.

FASHION STATEMENT: The Seminoles wore white pants with garnet jerseys for the first time in school history. The seniors asked for the combination, which differs from Florida State's normal home uniform of either garnet or gold pants with garnet tops.

The Hurricanes wore orange pants for just the second time in four seasons -- both against Florida State. They also wore orange pants in the 22-14 victory in October.

EXTRA POINTS: Miami defensive tackle Orien Harris was carted off in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Fullback Kyle Cobia sustained a leg injury in the first half and did not return. ... Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who grew up in Miami, was at the game -- wearing orange dress pants and a green shirt. ... Former Miami players Bryant McKinnie, Santana Moss and James Jackson, and former FSU players Zack Crockett, Sam Cowart and Derrick Gibson were on the sidelines. ... Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist also were at the game.