Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf speaks during a news conference in Santa Monica, Calif., Friday, Jan. 2, 1998. Leaf, speaking one day after his team lost to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, has announced he is leaving college for the NFL. (AP Photo/Nick Ut

Web posted January 3, 1998

The Associated Press

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- Ryan Leaf led Washington State to its first Rose Bowl in 67 years. He won't try for a second one.

The strong-armed quarterback said Friday he will pass up his senior year to enter the NFL draft.

``I've accomplished as much as I could in college football.'' he said. ``The next challenge is the NFL.''

Leaf said he made up his mind well before his team lost to Michigan 21-16 Thursday in the Rose Bowl.

He said he consulted with some top pro and college quarterbacks, and agent Leigh Steinberg came to his home in Great Falls, Mont., during Thanksgiving.

He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting last month and has been projected as a high first-round draft pick, and could be the first quarterback chosen.

As a youngster, Leaf was a Pittsburgh Steelers fans, but he does not care which NFL team he plays for.

``Pro football has always been a dream of mine,'' Leaf said. ``I feel the best is ahead for me.''

Leaf said the lure of NFL money was not an issue.

``I would play for free,'' he said. ``But if they are going to pay me, I'll take it. You go to college for financial security.''

An unusually big quarterback -- 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds -- Leaf was a fiery, inspirational leader this season. And his departure ends a great year for Washington State, which went 10-2 and gained a No. 8 ranking.

He set Pac-10 records with 3,637 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes and 3,583 yards of total offense. The Cougars averaged 42 points and 502 yards of offense a game.

Leaf holds school records for 305 yards passing in one half, 58 career touchdown passes and five touchdown passes in one game, among others.

``He made as big an impact with the football team as any player we ever had,'' coach Mike Price said. ``He's never played a bad game.''

Against top-ranked Michigan, Leaf completed 17 of 35 passes for 331 yards against the nation's best defense. The Cougars were driving for what could have been a winning touchdown when time expired.

``If it wasn't for Ryan Leaf, we wouldn't be here,'' Price said.

Leaf had expressed admiration for Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, who spurned NFL money and returned to school this season. Still, there was wide speculation Leaf would forgo his final season.

Leaf said he consulted with Manning; former Washington State star Drew Bledsoe, now with the New England Patriots; Warren Moon of the Seattle Seahawks; and Jake Plummer of the Arizona Cardinals.

Bledsoe left for the NFL after leading Washington State to the Copper Bowl as a junior in 1992.

``I wanted to know if I had the physical capabilities, the mental capabilities (for the NFL),'' Leaf said.

Leaf was the latest in a line of pro-caliber quarterbacks to emerge from Washington State in recent years, including Mark Rypien, Timm Rosenbach, Jack Thompson and Bledsoe. He obliterated many of their passing records.

Leaf is 16 credits shy of a broadcasting degree and said he promised his mother, Marcia, he would finish this year.