ELLICOTT CITY, Md. -- Penn State's All-American defensive end Aaron Maybin has declared his intentions to enter the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound sophomore led the Big Ten with 12 sacks and finished with 49 tackles -- 20 for loss -- as the Nittany Lions went 11-1 before losing 38-24 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl.
Maybin will be one of the top defensive ends available and is a likely first-round pick.
"Leaving Penn State was one of the most difficult decisions I've faced," the third-year sophomore said in a statement. "In the end, I've decided this is an opportunity I would like to pursue."
Maybin announced his decision after speaking to students at his former high school, Mt. Hebron, in Ellicott City.
Maybin led a Nittany Lions defense that allowed just over 12 points per game during the regular season and would likely have played for the national championship if not for a last-second field goal in a 24-23 loss to Iowa.
Pittsburgh star running back LeSean McCoy also said he will apply for draft reinstatement.
The sophomore, who red-shirted his freshman season, led the Panthers with 1,488 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns last year.
Addtionally, Ohio State junior wide receiver Brian Hartline revealed he also plans to enter the draft.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
