The final day third-year players could make themselves eligible for the NFL draft yielded one more hit to Oklahoma.

Tuesday, defensive back Reggie Smith announced he will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the draft.

Smith joins wide receiver Malcolm Kelly and linebacker Curtis Lofton as early departures to the NFL. The prospects for Smith are much like Lofton and Kelly. None of the three are considered locks to go high in the draft.

The NFL combine, scheduled for Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis, will be a critical proving ground for all three.

Smith, who missed the Fiesta Bowl with a toe injury, was a three-year starter for the Sooners. He started at strong safety his freshman season and played that position and cornerback in 2006. He was the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Lofton won the award in the postseason.

He started all 12 regular-season games and the Big 12 championship game at cornerback.

“Reggie was a good player for us and we wish him the best,” Stoops said.

Smith had a productive season, finishing fourth on the team with 78 tackles. He logged three interceptions and one fumble recovery, which he returned 61 yards for a touchdown against Miami.

He was an All-Big 12 selection by both the Associated Press voters and the conference coaches.

The Edmond North product played in 39 games at OU with 36 starts. He finished with 165 career tackles and eight interceptions. He was also used as a punt and kick returner the last two seasons.

Smith’s departure creates the largest single season defection of underclassmen (three) to the NFL ranks since Stoops took over as coach in 1999.

There won’t be any more this season. All players wishing to test the NFL before their eligibility was exhausted had until Tuesday to do so.

Players still have until Friday to change their mind and return to school, provided they haven’t already signed with an agent.

John Shinn

366-3536