USC WR Brenden Rice declares for NFL Draft; Georgia WR-PR Mekhi Mews enters transfer portal
UCLA defensive back Devin Kirkwood, back, intercepts a pass intended for Southern California wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Credit: AP/Ashley Landis
Southern California receiver Brenden Rice will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice made the announcement Friday on social media.
Rice was seventh nationally with 12 receiving touchdowns. He also had 45 receptions for 791 yards and averaged 17.6 yards per catch. He was at Colorado in 2020 and '21 before spending the past two seasons at USC.
Earlier this week, Rice accepted an invitation to attend the Senior Bowl in January. This is the first year the game is allowing draft-eligible underclassmen to participate.
Rice is the second USC player to announce his draft intentions. Running back MarShawn Lloyd, who had 820 yards and nine touchdowns, declared on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Mekhi Mews, who came to Georgia as a walk-on and carved out a significant role on offense and special teams, has entered the transfer portal.
The receiver and punt returner played in all 13 games this season, finishing with 13 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Southern California wide receiver Brenden Rice, right, runs in the end zone for a touchdown as UCLA defensive back Alex Johnson watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun
Mews ranked 18th nationally in punt returns with a 10.2-yard average, including a 69-yard TD against Ball State. He also split kick return duties with Dillon Bell, averaging 26.8 yards.
Mews, who has two years of eligibility remaining, became the second significant member of the Bulldogs to enter the portal.
Backup quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a former top prospect who failed to beat out Carson Beck for the starting job, announced he will enroll at fellow Southeastern Conference school Kentucky next season.
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