For the first time this month, a player from either USC or Miami is not the one announcing an early entry into the NFL.
Instead, it’s Memphis’ turn to lose one early, defensive tackle Dontari Poe announcing on his Twitter feed Friday afternoon that he’s leaving collegiate eligibility on the table and will make himself available for the April NFL draft.
“Big decision know I chose right....NFL here I come,” Poe wrote. “This was the best decision for me...b[u]t I will always LOVE MEMPHIS!!!!!!!!”
As noted by the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, Poe would’ve been playing for his third head coach as Justin Fuente will take over for Larry Porter in 2012. Poe was recruited to Memphis by Tommy West, who was fired and replaced by Porter.
The 6-5, 350-pound Poe, who started 30 games over the past three seasons, was third on the Tigers in tackles for loss with eight in 2011.