LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky wide receiver Randall Cobb will try the NFL.
The junior first-team All-American announced Thursday that he will bypass his senior season and apply for the NFL draft.
"I felt that it was my time to go and pursue my dream to play in the NFL," Cobb said. "I've had this dream since I was a child. I can remember when I was four years old and I was laying in bed. That was the only thing I wanted, to play football in the NFL."
The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Cobb led Kentucky with 955 yards receiving, 401 yards rushing and 12 combined touchdowns this past season. He also threw for three scores and returned a punt for a touchdown.
Cobb was selected an All-American as an all-purpose player by The Associated Press last month.
Cobb said he considered the NFL's ongoing labor dispute while making his decision.
"It could hurt me," Cobb said. "That's just me stepping out on my faith and hoping things go right."
Cobb finished his career by accounting for 204 total yards in a 27-10 loss to Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl last Saturday as Kentucky finished 6-7.
Cobb said he has enjoyed "every last second" of his career at Kentucky but had to make the best decision for his future.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
