Utah wide receiver Steve Savoy is running a new route — to the National Football League.
After days of waffling, Savoy on Friday officially backed up statements he made to the media nearly a week ago. The speedy sophomore, who caught 67 passes for 961 yards and 11 touchdowns for the undefeated Utes in 2004, is giving up his final two seasons of college football to pursue a pro career.
"Steve Savoy has determined that he wants to come out early, and we wish him well," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a released statement. "We were not anticipating this (at season's end), and we will certainly miss him because he is a fine receiver, but we are recruiting a strong group of receivers, so we're not panicking."
Savoy told the Deseret Morning News earlier in the week that he had hired an agent and planned to follow quarterback Alex Smith, who made his intentions known on Jan. 4, into the NFL. Savoy, who is hopeful of being a first-day pick, said he hopes to work out with Smith while preparing for the draft in April.
Such talk, however, came as news to Whittingham and the Utah coaching staff.
"Steve and I are still in discussions about his future," Whittingham said earlier in the week. "I will comment further once he makes a definite decision."
Savoy registered for spring semester classes, which began Monday, but University of Utah officials said he withdrew from school on Thursday.
The decision ended speculation that heated up prior to Utah's 35-7 win over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.
"As for me making the jump, it depends on what my draft status would be and which round I would go in. Also, if Alex stays, I might be more likely to stay. If he leaves, I'll probably look at other options," Savoy said at the time. "I plan on coming back, but so many things have happened as far as coaches and players and stuff like that. I'll just make my decision from there."
Savoy, a 22-year-old from Dunbar High in Washington, D.C., caught 107 passes for 1,624 yards and 18 touchdowns for Utah over the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The first-team all-conference honoree is eligible for the draft because three years have passed since his high school graduation. He redshirted for the Utes in 2002 after attending a prep school.
Savoy's departure is the latest blow to a Utah offense that enters the 2005 season without Smith, head coach Urban Meyer, offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, quarterbacks coach Dan Mullen, receivers coach Billy Gonzales, tight ends coach Keith Uperesa, offensive line coach John Hevesy, as well as departing senior starters Paris Warren, Travis LaTendresse, Marty Johnson, Chris Kemoeatu and Makai Aalona.
New offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig does have some experience to work with next season. Wide receiver John Madsen, tailback Quinton Ganther, tight end Blake Burdette and linemen Jesse Boone, David Dirkmaat, Tavo Tupola and Eric Pettit made starts in 2004.
Other receivers in the fold include Justin Walker, Derrek Richards, Thomas Huff, Brent Casteel and John Peel. New recruits, who sign letters of intent on Feb. 2, may include Brian Hernandez of Pima Community College in Arizona and Marquis Wilson of Juan Diego High School.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com