S Reid, CB Simon leave LSU to enter NFL Draft
LSU All-America safety Eric Reid and junior cornerback Tharold Simon announced Friday that they will skip their last season of eligibility to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
Reid completed his final season with the Tigers as their third-leading tackler with 91 and added seven pass breakups, two interceptpions, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.
"I've been very fortunate and blessed to have been able to play football at LSU," said Reid, a consensus first-team All-America. "It was always my dream to go to LSU and play football.
"I want to thank coach (Les) Miles and all of the people that played a role to get me to this point in my life. This was a very difficult decision because I always wanted to be a Tiger and I love LSU. But after careful consideration and talking with my family, I feel like this is the right time to make this decision."
The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Reid is ranked as the No. 1 free-safety prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and the No. 33 player overall. He's projected as a first- or second-round pick in April.
Reid played in 39 games during his college career and started 29, totaling 194 tackles and six interceptions.
Simon replaced Morris Claiborne as a starter this season. He led the Tigers with four interceptions and added 45 tackles, one fumble recovery, and nine pass breakups.
LSU linebacker Kevin Minter had previously declared his intention to leave school early to enter the NFL Draft.
