BATON ROUGE — Michael Clayton, the second-leading receiver in the history of LSU, has decided to forgo his senior season at the school and make himself eligible for the NFL draft, he announced at a press conference on Sunday.
Clayton, a native of Baton Rouge, started 31 games during his three years with the Tigers, helping lead LSU to a pair of Southeastern Conference titles and to the 2003 national championship. Clayton caught at least one pass in all 40 games in which he played, including a career-best of 12 receptions against Alabama in 2003.
For his career, Clayton caught 182 passes for 2,582 yards and a school-record 21 touchdowns. The 182 receptions ranks second in LSU history only to Wendell Davis, who caught 183 passes during his career. Clayton’s 2,582 receiving yards is the fourth-highest total in the LSU record book.
In addition, Clayton is the only player in school history to have at least 700 yards receiving in three straight years.
“It has been a privilege to be a part of one of the greatest teams in LSU history,” Clayton said. “I feel like I have experienced the highest point of success that a collegiate athlete could be a part of and that is winning a national championship. That will be a memory that will last me for the rest of my life. I think it is in my best interest and my family’s best interest to forego my senior year and enter myself into the 2004 draft.
“It has been a situation that I have been counseled for and I feel very comfortable doing. By saying that, my last comment to the LSU family, faculty, staff, fans, the support from you guys has been excellent. Everywhere I go, I will always carry the LSU pride with me.”
Clayton earned First Team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2003 after leading the league in both receptions and yards, while finishing second in touchdowns. In LSU’s national championship season, Clayton caught 78 passes for 1,079 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 78 receptions ranks as the third-highest single season total in school history, while the 1,079 yards ranks fourth in LSU annals.
Clayton was also a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award this season and was named Third Team All-America by collegefootballnews.com.
“Michael (Clayton) is certainly a favorite son of Louisiana being from Baton Rouge, and he came to this program when no one knew for sure what we were going to be able to accomplish or who we were,” LSU coach Nick Saban said. “He was a high-profile guy coming out of high school and I think as I told him at that time, if guys like you come to school here it is going to certainly pave the way for other players in the future to have success and a part of that success is having the kind of athletic career that allows you to be a first round draft pick. I think that is certainly a real possibility for Michael.
“As you have heard me say before when guys represent the program in a first class way like he has, not only on the field but also off the field, in every way shape and form, is it great. He has helped other players to play better with his leadership and his support and has certainly given, as a competitor, everything that anybody could give to help us have a successful program here.”
“As a person, I can honestly say that I have never ever coached a person that has more class, more integrity, and anyone of any better quality of a person than Michael Clayton is. I think for all that he has done for this program and helping us win the national championship and helping us have two SEC championships, the only thing we regret is that he will not be able to come back and help us win a third SEC Championship in his career.”
Clayton becomes LSU’s fifth early entry into the NFL Draft in the last four years. Last year, running back LaBrandon Toefield opted to skip his senior season, while wide receiver Josh Reed and linebacker Trev Faulk both came out in 2001 as did quarterback Josh Booty following the 2000 season. Toefield was a fourth round pick last season, while Reed was drafted in the second round and Booty in the sixth. Faulk went undrafted.
Other early entrees for LSU include wide receiver Eddie Kennison following the 1995 season and offensive guard Alan Faneca after the 1996 season.