LSU All-American cornerback Morris Claiborne has decided to leave school a year early to enter the NFL draft, and junior receiver Russell Shepard will follow him.Claiborne made his decision public in an announcement Thursday afternoon with coach Les Miles at LSU, while Shepard indicated on Twitter that he will not return for his senior season.Claiborne, the third-rated player on ESPN Scouts Inc.'s draft board, led LSU with six interceptions this season and returned one for a touchdown. The winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back also was LSU's top kickoff returner, averaging 25 yards per return, with one touchdown that went 99 yards.Claiborne, who is from Shreveport, initially came to LSU expecting to play wide receiver but was quickly converted to defensive back and played in seven games in a reserve role as a true freshman.He started 12 games as a sophomore opposite 2010 Thorpe Award winner and current Arizona Cardinal Patrick Peterson. With teams often avoiding throwing to Peterson's side of the field, Claiborne saw a lot of balls come his way and responded with a team-leading five interceptions and also recovered a fumble. Source: ESPN
