Miami's Webster Ineligible

Miami Hurricanes linebacker Nate Webster, a second-team All-American last year, was declared ineligible for his senior season Thursday by the NCAA.

Webster, the Hurricanes' leading tackler in 1999, decided to skip his final season and applied for the NFL draft Jan. 10. That night, Webster changed his mind and the NFL agreed to take his name off a list of players requesting early entry into the draft.

But according to NCAA rules, Webster became ineligible simply by applying to the NFL. Miami asked that Webster's eligibility be restored, but the NCAA denied the request.

"It was a foolish mistake on my part that cost me," Webster said at a news conference Thursday. "Right now, I just have to go on."

NFL spokesman Dan Masonson said it's unclear whether Webster will be eligible for April's draft. Webster might have to wait until the supplemental draft.

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