GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last week, will enter the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound senior from Staten Island, N.Y., could apply for a medical redshirt and receive another year of college eligibility. But Florida head coach Will Muschamp said Monday that Easley ''is definitely going to the NFL next year.''
One of the most disruptive linemen in the Southeastern Conference, Easley tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus in his right knee during practice last Tuesday. He tore the ACL in his left knee in November 2011.
Those injuries could be cause for concern among NFL teams, but Muschamp said the next level is ''the best move for him right now.''
''He'll have plenty of interest,'' Muschamp said. ''He'll be a productive guy on the next level. He's a really good football player. He's extremely intelligent. He gets the game. His tape speaks for itself and how he plays the game and approaches the game. He'll be fine. There will be a lot of organizations that want him in their organization.''
Easley finished his college career with 72 tackles, including 18 for loss, and 5 1/2 sacks.
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