Rutgers' Sanu declares for NFL Draft

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Junior All-America wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (South Brunswick, N.J.) has elected to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL Draft.

Sanu, who is expected to be a late first or early second round selection, is the fourth player in the Greg Schiano era at Rutgers to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft.

The three Scarlet Knights prior to Sanu who elected to forego their final year of eligibility under Schiano’s watch have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success at the next level. Ray Rice left Rutgers following his junior season in 2007 and was a second round draft selection of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2008 NFL Draft. Kenny Britt declared for the 2009 NFL Draft and was a first round pick of the Tennessee Titans while Anthony Davis was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Sanu finishes his career as Rutgers’ and the BIG EAST’s all-time leader in career receptions with 210 after he moved past current NFL running back Brian Leonard (204) in Rutgers’ 27-13 victory over Iowa State in the 2011 New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Sanu was part of two Rutgers’ bowl victories as the Scarlet Knights own the nation’s longest current bowl winning streak at five games with Mississippi State.

The 2011 Maxwell Club Tri-State Player of the Year, Sanu ended the 2011 season with 115 receptions (school and BIG EAST record) for 1,206 yards. The 1,206 yards receiving place Sanu third in RU single-season history and eighth in BIG EAST single-season history. He is currently fourth nationally with 115 receptions and 69 of his receptions in 2011 went for first downs.

A unanimous All-BIG EAST selection in 2011, Sanu was named a Fourth Team All-America selection by Phil Steele and an honorable mention All-America pick by SI.com. Sanu won two major team awards in 2011 as he was named the team’s most valuable offensive player in addition to winning the Homer Hazel Trophy as the team’s most valuable player.

A Freshman All-America selection in 2009 by CollegeFootballNews.com, Sanu set a new BIG EAST record for receptions in a game with 16 in Rutgers’ victory over Ohio in September of this season.