Ole Miss DE heading to NFL

Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe decided Friday morning to bypass a chance for an extra year of eligibility and enter his name into next April’s NFL Draft, according to family friend Joe Barnett. "He's anguished over the decision for a week," Barnett said. "He’s torn between wanting to stay there with the university, program, coaches, his teammates. It’s been really a tough struggle for him to make up his mind. He’s vacillated back and forth a half a dozen times each way. The decision was made yesterday."

In a statement released to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Powe said that while he struggled with the decision, it was time for him to move on to the next phase of his football career.

"I have struggled for a long time about this decision, but in the end, it’s time for me to move on," Powe said in s statement. "I really appreciate everything Ole Miss has done for me. I plan on coming back and supporting my school and my team for the rest of my life." "I am in my prime right now and I feel it is in my best interest to start using my ability to earn a living for me and my family. I am very thankful to the Ole Miss family, the coaching staff and my teammates for the support I have been shown these past few years."

Head coach Houston Nutt released his own statement, thanking Powe for his contributions to the Rebels football program.

"I really appreciate what Jerrell Powe has done for this program, in particular the want he showed to be an Ole Miss Rebel," Nutt said.