Friday, January 11, 2002
Going, going, gone! Ashley Lelie says he doesn't care who drafts him.
Ashley Lelie finally confirms
Dickerson commits to Hawaii
what others have been saying --
that he will enter this year's
NFL Draft
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"I don't have a favorite team anymore, since Barry Sanders isn't playing," said Lelie, a former Detroit Lions fan. "I have no preference.
"A passing team would be nice, but if they want me to block, I'll block."
The Hawaii junior wide receiver confirmed last night that he applied Tuesday for the NFL Draft.
"I am entering the draft," Lelie told the Star-Bulletin by phone from his parents' home in South Carolina.
Lelie ended days of speculation, saying that he had hired an agent, Ray Anderson of Octagon Sports, and committed to the April 20-21 draft, ending his college career.
He said he preferred not to disclose his reasons for turning pro until later today, the deadline for entering the draft early. Lelie did say that the NFL telling him he would likely be picked by the second round helped him decide.
Lelie said Anderson wasn't a difficult choice.
"He's a good guy," Lelie said. "My parents really liked him. They really clicked."
Lelie said he is working out to get ready for the Feb. 28 NFL combine, in which prospects are tested and scouted. His personal trainer, Chip Smith, has helped prepare other athletes for the combine, including 2001 New York Jets first-round draft pick Santana Moss.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Lelie, who has run the 40 in under 4.4 seconds, will be one of the most physically gifted receivers in the draft but not one of the most well-known nationally.
Louisiana State's Josh Reed, the Biletnikoff Award winner, said yesterday he will come out early as did Florida's Jabar Gaffney. Two other Florida underclassmen, Reche Caldwell and Taylor Jacobs, were also expected to join the draft in the wake of coach Steve Spurrier's departure.
Lelie, a former walk-on from Radford High School who broke most significant UH receiving records in just three seasons, said that doesn't matter.
"It really doesn't bother me," the third-team All-American said. "The combine can help me a lot. The thing that bothers me about Hawaii's lack of exposure is that some of my teammates haven't gotten recognition they deserve. ... Guys like Rolo (quarterback Nick Rolovich), (guard) Manly (Kanoa) and (receiver) Channon Harris. They're seniors and had great years, so hopefully they'll get drafted, too."
Lelie said he'll miss many things about UH, especially his teammates, coaches and fans.
"It was a very tough decision," he said. "I hope to come back eventually and finish school."
Lelie said he thought he had decided to go pro when he returned to Hawaii last week to tie up some loose ends and talk to the UH coaches. But after talking with coach June Jones, Lelie said he decided to think things over a bit more.
After returning to the mainland Monday, Lelie made his final decision Tuesday and turned in his paperwork to the NFL, he said. He planned to tell Jones and UH receivers coach Ron Lee of his decision last night.
Lelie has spent his time working out and resting since.
And his mind is at ease.
"I don't have any regrets yet," he said.
The Hawaii receiver and Radford graduate has decided to forgo his senior season and apply for the NFL draft. Here are his career highlights: Ashley Lelie
Hawaii career
Year G REC Yds Avg TD YDS/G 2001 12 84 1,713 20.4 19 142.8 2000 12 74 1,110 15.0 11 92.5 1999 12 36 518 14.4 2 43.2 Major school records
>> Career receptions: 304
>> Career receiving yards: 3,341
>> Career receiving touchdowns: 32
>> Season receptions: 84 (2001)
>> Season receiving yards: 1,713 (2001)
>> Season touchdowns: 19 (2001)
>> Single-game receiving yards: 285 (vs. Air Force, Nov. 24, 2001)
>> Single-game receiving touchdowns (tied): 3 (three times)
Here's a look at the contracts given to receivers drafted in the first three rounds of the 2001 NFL Draft. The number before each name is what position (overall) that player was drafted: How much cash for Ashley?
Round 1
Player (School), NFL Team Contract (bonus) 8. David Terrell (Mich.), Chi. 5 yrs., $11,300,000 ($4,000,000) 9. Koren Robinson (N.C. St.), Sea. 6 yrs., $10,100,000 ($4,000,000) 15. Rod Gardner (Clemson), Wash. 5 yrs., $7,788,000 ($3,300,000) 16. Santana Moss (Miami), NY Jets 5 yrs., $7,085,520 ($3,433,000) 25. Freddie Mitchell (UCLA), Phil. 6 yrs., $6,102,500 ($3,500,000) 30. Reggie Wayne (Miami), Ind. 5 yrs., $6,140,000 ($2,400,000) Round 2
Player (School), NFL Team Contract (bonus) 33. Quincy Morgan (Kan. St.), Cle. 6 yrs., $4,176,000 ($1,560,000) 36. Chad Johnson (Ore. St.), Cin. 4 yrs., $3,091,500 ($1,436,000) 41. Rob Ferguson (Tex. A&M), GB 4 yrs., $2,867,500 ($1,355,000) 52. Chris Chambers (Wisc.), Miami 4 yrs., $2,501,000 ($1,187,500)
Round 3
Player (School), NFL Team Contract (bonus) 74. Steve Smith (Utah), Caro. 3 yrs., $1,400,000 ($500,000) 77. Marvin Minnis (Fla. St.), KC 3 yrs., $1,381,000 ($485,000)
St. Louis School slotback Ross Dickerson has verbally committed to play college football at Hawaii. Dickerson commits
to HawaiiBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comDickerson, who stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 175 pounds, told UH receivers coach Ron Lee of his intent to join the Warriors in the fall. Lee is the brother of St. Louis coach Cal Lee.
Dickerson chose Hawaii after also considering Colorado, Washington State and Idaho. He canceled trips to the other schools.
"They have a good coaching staff, and I wanted to play in front of my family," Dickerson said.
St. Louis runs an offensive scheme similar to Hawaii's run-and-shoot attack.
Dickerson accumulated 1,375 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in three varsity seasons at St. Louis and averaged 13 yards every time he touched the ball.
"He's the kind of receiver who can break the big one because of his speed and acceleration," Cal Lee said. "I think they got a real home-run hitter. He has the kind of explosiveness anyone would want.
"He's just a nice kid to be around, and I know Ron is really going to enjoy working with him."
Dickerson was named an Interscholastic League of Honolulu first team all-star last season after helping the Crusaders win their 16th consecutive league championship and advance to the state championship game.
Dickerson was hosted on his UH visit by slotback and former St. Louis standout Gerald Welch and slotback Chad Owens.
Also, St. Louis linebacker Taualai Fonoti and offensive lineman Mesepa Reed are scheduled to visit UCLA this weekend.
The first day high school recruits can sign a letter of intent is Feb. 6.
UH Athletics