In the wake of the school's most successful season in two decades, the University of Georgia coaches might have build a chain link fence, just to keep enough of their standout players around for 2003.

ESPN.com has confirmed that, for a third consecutive day, the Bulldogs have lost an underclass player to the 2003 NFL draft. Junior weakside linebacker Chris Clemons, a physical specimen whose best football still lies ahead of him, will bypass his final season of eligibility.

His exit follows those of defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan (Tuesday) and tailback Musa Smith (Wednesday). League scouts feel Sullivan definitely will be a first-round choice but the verdict is split on Smith at this point.

Clemons, 21, made his decision Sunday evening after wrestling with it. He is the nephew of New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Charlie Clemons, who also played at Georgia. The elder Clemons has been counseling his nephew about the decision.

Underclass players have until Jan. 15 to submit paperwork for the draft.

At 6-foot-3 and nearly 250 pounds (roughly 14 pounds more than he is listed on the Bulldogs roster), Clemons certainly possesses the size and quickness to play at the next level. Two scouts told ESPN.com on Thursday afternoon that Clemons needs to improve his overall strength and diagnostic skills.

The consensus is that Clemons will be chosen in the third or fourth round.

In three college seasons, Clemons played in 28 games and started 14 times. He had 104 tackles, one sack and six passes defensed.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.