Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter and West Virginia wide receiver Stedman Bailey have announced that they’re leaving college and entering the 2013 NFL draft.
Hunter had previously been mum about the widespread speculation that he was going pro, but he confirmed on Twitter on Monday that he has declared for the draft. Hunter suffered a torn ACL in 2011 and may not have been all the way back to full speed this season, but he still had 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns for the Volunteers. He has a chance at being the first receiver selected in April.
Bailey had amazing numbers this season in the Mountaineers’ high-scoring passing attack, with 106 catches for 1,501 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had been widely expected to leave West Virginia early.
Although next year’s draft features a weak crop of senior receivers, there have now been four juniors to enter the draft: Hunter, Bailey, Cal’s Keenan Allen and Tennessee Tech’s Da’Rick Rogers.