Nebraska’s Phillips Will Pass Up Senior Season

LINCOLN, Neb. — Lawrence Phillips is taking his coach’s advice and leaving national champion Nebraska for the NFL.

Phillips, the troubled but talented Cornhuskers’ tailback, said Tuesday he will pass up his senior season and declare himself eligible for the NFL draft.

“The chance to play in the NFL, to be considered a draft prospect, wouldn’t be happening without the Nebraska football program,” Phillips said in a statement released by the school.

“I am mostly appreciative of the coaching, the teaching, the advice and the friendship I received from the coaches, in particular Coach Tom Osborne and coach Frank Solich. I am a better player and person because of them.”

Players with eligibility remaining have until today to declare themselves available for the NFL draft. Also Tuesday:

--UCLA running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar said he will hold a news conference today to announce his decision.

Although he has been tight-lipped about his decision, even to his coaches and teammates, Abdul-Jabbar gave them all hope he’d be staying by attending the first team meeting under new Coach Bob Toledo Tuesday night. Abdul-Jabbar, the team’s leading rusher last season, left without revealing his final decision, but his mere presence was interpreted as a good sign.

--Junior wide receiver Eddie Kennison, a key to LSU’s first winning football season since 1988, said he would enter the draft and hopes to go as high as No. 12.

--Michigan running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka confirmed he would skip his senior year and enter the draft.

--Texas announced that junior defensive lineman Tony Brackens will enter the draft.

--Florida State tailback Warrick Dunn said he’ll remain in school for his final year.

Osborne had told Phillips that if he stayed at Nebraska, Phillips likely would continue to be marked for criticism, as he has been in Lincoln since his arrest for assaulting a former girlfriend in September.

“The past several months have been difficult for everyone,” Phillips said. “I know that I made a mistake, which I deeply regret. I believe I have learned and grown as a result of it.”

Phillips was considered a Heisman Trophy contender after two sparkling performances to open Nebraska’s season, but Osborne suspended him after the assault.

Osborne, who first kicked Phillips off the team, allowed him back into the program but said he had to attend anger-control counseling and meet other stipulations if he wanted to play again.

Phillips returned after six weeks, although he did not make his first start until the Fiesta Bowl.

“We certainly wish Lawrence the best in his NFL career,” said Solich, who is Nebraska’s running back coach and assistant head coach.

Phillips made a brief stop in Lincoln on Tuesday but was headed back to his home in West Covina and offered no further comment.

Phillips still must deal with provisions of his one-year probation sentence for the assault.