Wilson staying, but Childs entering NFL Draft

The Boise State football team lost a star and retained one with Tuesday's news that wide receiver Jeremy Childs will enter the NFL Draft, and cornerback Kyle Wilson will return for his senior season.

Coach Chris Petersen announced the decision by Childs, who exits a year early with the second-most career catches by a Bronco. Childs told the Idaho Statesman in November that he would return in 2009 to fulfill a promise to his mother to get his degree.

"I want to play with the team and play with these players as long as I possibly can," Childs said then.

Childs, a two-time All-WAC first-teamer, had 168 catches for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons with the Broncos. He set a school record with 82 receptions in 2007. He had a team-high 72 catches last year.

His departure means that only one wide receiver with more than 10 catches last season returns - junior Austin Pettis, who had 49 catches and nine TDs. The Broncos also have junior Titus Young, who was suspended for much of last season, but was a standout in 2007.

Childs is the third Bronco in two years to leave early for the NFL, joining left tackle Ryan Clady (first round in 2008 to Denver) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (fifth round in 2008 to Dallas).

Meanwhile, Wilson, an All-WAC cornerback and All-American punt returner, will return to Boise State, according to his brothers.

Wilson can earn his degree by returning - following in the footsteps of brothers Gerry (Princeton) and Vincent (Iowa and Delaware), who also played college football and earned their degrees.

"I wouldn't necessarily say it was a tough call, but I wouldn't say it was easy," said Gerry Wilson, the oldest of three Wilson boys. " It was a matter of evaluating what's best for Kyle and what's best for the team."

Childs and Wilson were not available for comment Tuesday.

The NFL Draft advisory committee told Wilson that he likely would be selected sometime after the third round, Gerry said.

Wilson led the WAC in passes defended (15) and tied for the lead in interceptions (five) in 2008. He was second in the WAC and 12th in the nation in punt-return average (14.2) and he tied for the national lead with three touchdowns.

Wilson was named an All-WAC first-teamer as a cornerback and second-teamer as a returner. He was named a second-team All-American as a returner by SI.com and the Sporting News.

His decision means the Broncos will have four returning starters in the secondary. Wilson joins junior cornerback Brandyn Thompson, junior safety Jeron Johnson (All-WAC second team) and sophomore safety George Iloka (Freshman All-American). The Broncos lost their third starting safety, All-WAC first-teamer Ellis Powers.