USC s Rivers not entering NFL draft

LOS ANGELES - USC Trojans's Keith Rivers announced Thursday that he will return for his senior season.

The linebacker, a two-year starter, gives the USC Trojans 10 defensive starters expected back for the 2007 season. Rivers led the team with 85 tackles and three fumbles forced.

Rivers asked for an NFL evaluation and said he was told he graded out as a second-round pick.

"I gave it a lot of thought," Rivers said. "... I felt like with a year of growth I have the potential to be a top-10 or top-15 pick."

LOS ANGELES - Offensive guard Shannon Tevaga, who has started 31 straight games at UCLA, has decided to stay in school and play his senior season for the Bruins.

The 6-foot-3, 313-pounder had talked with his family about skipping his senior year to make himself available for the NFL draft.

"I feel like we have the chance to do something special next year and I want to be part of it," Tevaga said. "I also want to earn my degree and have the chance to play in a game with my brother (freshman Sonny Tevaga)."

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Anthony Gonzalez, the second-leading receiver for Ohio State, said he will not return for his senior season and will enter the NFL draft.

SOUTH BEND,

Ind. - Notre Dame tailback Darius Walker, on pace to become the school's career rushing leader, will enter the NFL draft and skip his senior season.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason announced he will return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft.

CLEVELAND - Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., injured celebrating after he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the BCS national championship game, sprained his left foot and will have to wear a walking boot
for a few weeks, his father Ted Ginn Sr. said.

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