UCLA's Farris Flies To NFL

UCLA tackle Kris Farris, winner of the Outland Trophy as college football's outstanding interior lineman, announced today he will pass up his final year of eligibility to make himself available for the NFL Draft.

"I am confident this is the best decision for me at this time," Farris, a 6-foot-9, 315-pound junior, said at a news conference on campus.

Farris, who started all 35 games of his college career, said it took him about six months to make the decision to leave school.

"The Outland Trophy really helped my decision, I'm not going to lie about it," he said. "Injury wasn't really a big concern. I just felt like this was the best time to leave."

The 21-year-old Farris said he had three individual goals at UCLA -- to become All-Conference, All-American and win the Outland Trophy. He accomplished all three.

Farris became the second UCLA player to win the Outland Trophy, joining Jonathan Ogden, who won in 1995. Ogden, like Farris an offensive tackle, plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

Farris allowed no sacks and just 2.5 hurries on 370 pass opportunities in 11 regular-season games, according to the school. He also had a team-high 48 knockdown blocks including eight against Washington and five each against Houston, Arizona and Miami. He had at least three knockdowns in every game.

Farris said a significant factor in his decision was the fact that since he sat out his freshman year, many players on his incoming freshman class including quarterback Cade McNown have completed their eligibility.

"These have been the best years of my life," Farris said. "I don't feel like I belong here anymore. It's time to move on."

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