PLANO, Texas - Two-time All-American receiver Michael Crabtree is leaving Texas Tech to catch passes in the NFL next season.

Crabtree announced his decision at a news conference Tuesday, with teammate and Big 12 sack leader Brandon Williams also announcing his plans to turn pro.

For Crabtree, the move was no surprise considering he's expected to be a top 10 draft pick.

Pretty good for a guy who caught only one pass in high school.

Crabtree redshirted while making the conversion from high school quarterback to college receiver. That extra year means he's three years removed from high school and, thus, eligible for the draft.

He had little left to prove in college, having averaged 120.3 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game, extraordinarily high numbers even in coach Mike Leach's video game-esque offense. His career totals of 231 catches for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns would be remarkable over three or four years, but he compiled them in two.

Crabtree received the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver as a freshman and sophomore. He was fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy this past season.

His most memorable play was a tackle-busting spin into the end zone with 1 second left to knock off top-ranked Texas in Lubbock. Texas Tech went on to reach 10-0 and No. 2 in the nation, but lost two if its final three games and finished the year ranked 12th.

Crabtree sprained an ankle in the regular season finale and struggled in a loss to Mississippi in the Cotton Bowl. That helped convince him it was time to turn pro.

Had the 6-foot-3, 214-pound Crabtree stayed in college, he would've faced the added challenge of breaking in a new quarterback. Texas Tech's longtime starter Graham Harrell just finished his eligibility and is eyeing the NFL.

Ball State QB Davis to enter NFL draft early

MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State quarterback Nate Davis has decided to give up his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Cardinals coach Stan Parrish made the announcement Tuesday in a news conference at the school.

Davis, a junior, led Ball State to a 12-0 start this past season, during which the Cardinals were ranked as high as 12th. The Cardinals lost to Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference championship game, then to Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl.

“I know what I'm about to do won't be easy,” Davis said in a news release. “But it's what my heart and head want to do at this time. It's the right thing for me and my family at this time.”

Davis threw for 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions this season and his quarterback rating was 13th in the nation.

The previous season, he passed for school records of 3,667 yards and 30 touchdowns. He leaves as the school's leader in touchdown passes (74), yards passing (9,233), attempts (1,124) and completions (678).

Mays will return to USC for senior season

LOS ANGELES - All-American safety Taylor Mays has decided to return to Southern California for his senior season rather than turn pro.

“There are a lot more things I want to accomplish as a player, a student and a person, things that I've dreamed about for a long time and that are big goals to me,” Mays said in a statement issued by the school Tuesday. “Returning to USC will help me be the best player I can be and put me in the best position possible for the next level.”

Mays, a three-year starter, was one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award as the country's top defensive back. Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State won the award.

“We're obviously delighted to learn of Taylor's decision,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “He's one of the most gifted safeties to ever play at USC and he wants to come back and do it one more time.”

Quarterback Mark Sanchez, who passed for 413 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score in No. 3 USC's 38-24 Rose Bowl victory over Penn State, still hasn't announced whether he'll return for his senior season or turn pro. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Thursday.

Tailback C.J. Gable said Monday he'll return to school. He'll be a fourth-year junior next season.

Boston College hires Spaziani as head coach

BOSTON - Frank Spaziani is the new football coach at Boston College, promoted after spending 12 seasons as an assistant with the Eagles.

Spaziani's appointment will be announced at a 3 p.m. news conference Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the decision who requested anonymity because the school had not made an announcement.

Spaziani takes over for Jeff Jagodzinski, who was fired after he interviewed for the coaching job with the New York Jets. Jagodzinski, who had three years left on his five-year contract, had been told by athletic director Gene DeFilippo that he would be fired if he went through with the interview.

DeFilippo has said he wants a coach who will serve out the full length of his contract.

Spaziani spent the past 10 seasons as BC's defensive coordinator after two years as running backs coach. He became interim coach in 2006 when Tom O'Brien left to become coach of North Carolina State before the Eagles played in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. BC beat Navy 25-24 in that game.

Spaziani was passed over for the coaching job when DeFilippo went outside the college to hire Jagodzinski, then offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. Spaziani was one of two BC assistants who kept their jobs on the new staff.

Jagodzinski led the Eagles to a 20-8 record and one bowl win in two seasons, but they lost his last game in the Music City Bowl to Vanderbilt 16-14 on Dec. 31.

He was fired last Wednesday, the day after meeting with the Jets.

“We're really good friends and this is a very difficult thing to do,” DeFilippo, appearing despondent, said then. “We will find somebody who really wants to be at Boston College and will be here for the length of their contract.”