RENO, Nev. -- Nevada's star wide receiver Nate Burleson said Tuesday he will forgo his final year of eligibility with the Wolf Pack to enter the NFL draft in the spring.

Burleson, who led the NCAA in receptions this season, said he made the ``very tough decision'' over the last few weeks with the help of family and friends.

``My dad just told me to follow my heart,'' he said at a news conference on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

``Playing in the NFL has always been my dream so now that I have this opportunity, I'd like to give it a chance.''

Burleson, who was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, was on track to graduate by the end of next summer, which would have made him eligible for a fifth season of NCAA competition, school officials said.

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound senior from Seattle led the nation in receptions (11.5) and was second in yards (135.8) for the 2002 season among all NCAA I-A players. He said he plans to move back to Seattle later this week to prepare for the 2003 NFL draft in April.

``We support his decision fully and wish him all the luck in the world,'' said Phil Early, Nevada's offensive coordinator.

``Because of his work ethic, he has the potential to be as good as anyone who's played at the next level,'' he said.

Voted Nevadas Most Valuable Player this year, Burleson earned first-team honors in the Western Athletic Conference and second-team All-America honors from The Associated Press.

He ranks third on Nevada's career list with 248 receptions, fourth in yards receiving with 3,293 and seventh with 22 touchdowns. His 19 receptions against Texas-El Paso are a school record for a single game and his 138 catches this year set a record for a season. He fell just short of the NCAA mark of 142.