WR/KR Devin Thomas entering NFL draft, leaving Michigan State

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer

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Michigan State Spartans to face Boston College Eagles in Champs Sports Bowl

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, standing center, talks to his team during football practice in preparation for the Champs Sports Bowl against Boston College, in Orlando, Fla. on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jan 5, 2008 at 10:56 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 5, 2008 at 10:56 PM EST

(AP) — Devin Thomas is skipping his senior season at Michigan State to enter the NFL draft.

"It's a done deal," his father, Dwight Thomas, said Saturday night in an interview with The Associated Press. "Coming off the season he had and looking at the senior corps of receivers, we felt like it was a prime opportunity for him to enter the NFL."

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Thomas set a single-season Big Ten record with 1,135 yards on kickoff returns, including a career-high 178 yards in the Champs Sports Bowl.

He also set a single-season school mark with 79 receptions and 2,590 all-purpose yards.

Thomas, who said his son signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus, said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was disappointed when informed of the decision.

"He tried to point out some reasons why he should stay for his senior year," Dwight Thomas said. "I have a lot of respect for the man and appreciate what he's done for my son, but we just felt like this was the time for him to play in the NFL."

Thomas averaged 29 yards on kickoff returns and his receptions, which surpassed the likes of Plaxico Burress and Andre Rison, gave him 1,260 yards for the third-highest total in school history. He caught eight touchdown passes.

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