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Vols WR Washington enters draft Posted: Tuesday January 14, 2003 12:01 PMKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee receiver Kelley Washington, who missed most of the season due to injury, has officially declared he is leaving early for the NFL. Tight end Jason Witten, a junior, announced Monday he was entering the draft. No other Tennessee player is expected to leave early. Washington, 23, walked on the team last season as a freshman after playing minor-league baseball out of high school. He said earlier this season it would be his last at Tennessee even though he has two remaining years of eligibility. "I came to the University of Tennessee as a walk-on. My vision and dream was to become a great receiver and contribute to the team's goal of competing for a national championship," Washington said in a statement released Tuesday by the university. "In January of last year, I decided not to enter the NFL draft so I could help the team and improve my skills as a wide receiver." Washington, a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder from Stephens City, Va., had never played receiver until he came to Tennessee. He finished with 64 catches for 1,010 yards and five touchdowns last season, setting up what was expected to be a huge year in 2002. Washington ended up only playing in four games this past season because of an early knee injury and a neck injury that required surgery in November. He was absent from practice the last month of the season and during bowl preparations but attended the Peach Bowl and stood on the sidelines with his teammates. "If you don't walk in my shoes, I know it is hard for you to realize how I felt and how much I missed playing. However, the doctors told me I couldn't play until I had fully recovered from my injury," Washington said. "I want to say thank you to all of you who have been so supportive and encouraging during this difficult time. I will miss the coaches, the academic experience and the wonderful fans."
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