STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Injury-plagued Penn State defensive end Jerome Hayes is opting to pursue an NFL career instead of petitioning the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.

Hayes had season-ending injuries to each knee after being one of the nation’s most highly recruited linebackers out of high school.
The senior had 18 tackles and a sack for the No. 11 Nittany Lions in 2009.
Hayes said in a phone interview Wednesday from his New Jersey home that he told coach Joe Paterno of his decision over the weekend. Hayes had been weighing whether to ask the NCAA for another year on a medical waiver.
His departure leaves Penn State with five returning defensive starters in 2010.