Jimmy Clausen - photo: AP
Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen will forgo his senior season to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.
His departure was hardly unexpected as the program is in a time of change after the firing of Charlie Weis last week.
“After the season, in talking to my parents and obviously Coach Weis, I just feel it’s the right time,” Clausen told ESPN on Monday.
“Coach Weis told me whether he was going to be here or not be here, it was time for me to go. He thought I’ve improved so much since I came to Notre Dame. So, I’m taking his advice, and I’m going to head out.”
Clausen is coming off of a spectacular junior season at Notre Dame where he passed for 3,722 yards, 28 touchdowns and had only four interceptions.
His passer rating was an astonishing 161.43.
The 22-year-old California native is conceivably a top 5 pick in the draft.
ESPN speculates that St. Louis, Cleveland and Washington are all very much interested in acquiring his services.
Should the Browns decide to draft Clausen, it would likely mean the end of former UND QB Brady Quinn’s tenure with the team.
A news conference is scheduled for Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET in South Bend.
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