California LB Khairi Fortt declares intent to enter NFL draft

Perhaps new Tampa Bay Buccaneersoffensive coordinator Jeff Tedford can lend a hand with talent evaluation, as another player recruited by him is set to enter the 2014 NFL Draft early.

California linebacker Khairi Fortt will forgo his senior season, informing the Bay Area News Group of his decision Friday.

Fortt (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) started his college career at Penn State, but joined the Golden Bears when the Nittany Lions were hit with NCAA sanctions resulting from the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Fortt sat out the 2012 season, Tedford's last at Cal, while recovering from knee surgery. Fortt had 64 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one-half sack this past season under new head coach Sonny Dykes, as Cal fell to 1-11 and did not defeat an FBS team.

Tight end Richard Rodgers and cornerback Kameron Jackson previously declared for the draft.

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