Charles Gordon announced Sunday in a statement that he would forgo his senior season at Kansas in favor of entering the NFL Draft.

Gordon, a junior All-Big 12 Conference player, saw time at both wide receiver and cornerback, as well as on special teams as a punt returner.

"After much consideration, I believe that it is in the best interest for me and my family to enter the 2006 NFL Draft. This decision did not come easily. While playing in the NFL has always been a dream of mine, the idea of leaving KU, my teammates, my friends, my coaches and most importantly all the Jayhawk fans was extremely hard," Gordon said in the statement.

As a wide receiver, the position Gordon intitally played at Kansas, he had a total of 106 catches for 1,232 yards, including nine touchdowns.

Coach Mark Mangino elected to move Gordon to cornerback in 2004 to shore up a suspect defense. The defense was a great strength for Kansas this year and last. At corner, he hauled in nine interceptions, including seven in 2004 when he tied for the most in the NCAA.

Gordon has the most punt return yards, 999, of anyone in Kansas football history.

"It was not until I received Coach Mangino's blessing that my decision was final. After spending four great years here, I felt I was ready to take on the next challenge in my life. I appreciate the opportunity that was given to me by the University of Kansas and will always hold the Jayhawk community close to my heart," Gordon said.

Gordon's departure leaves holes at both the corner and wide receiver position

The Kansas City Star reported earlier in the week that a major factor in Gordon's departure was a belief that his NFL future was as a cornerback, whereas Mangino desired to use him as a wide receiver. Gordon has been projected to go somewhere on the second day by various NFL executives and media analysts..