Q: When did you start getting the concept in your mind that this year would be it for you?

A: It was after the season. During the season, I had no thoughts of the NFL, I was just helping us try to go to a bowl game. That was my No. 1 goal, and even when I was out there with nagging injuries I’m still trying to play to help this team go to a bowl game.

Q: What about passing up the chance to break the all-time NCAA receiving record?

A: It’s not all about records. It’s about your character, what kind of person you are, and how you carry yourself on and off the field. I feel like Vanderbilt University and my coaches helped me a lot to mature into the man that I am today. Hopefully people will remember me by my character and not my outstanding ability on the football field.

Q: Earl, was it tough to tell Coach Johnson your decision?

A: Definitely. I love Coach Johnson to death; he’s been there by my side, anything I needed help with he was always helping, whether it was on the field, off the field or in the classroom. It was a tough decision to tell him because I just love being around him; he’s a great guy. I really thank him a lot for allowing me to come here and play.

Q: You look at all the things you’ve done over the years; what will you remember most about your Vanderbilt career?

A: When we beat Tennessee. That will probably be the one I remember the most. It was a great game.

Q: A lot of times people cut their hair when it’s time to be a professional; is that the inspiration for the haircut?

A: (Laughs) No, I actually was gonna cut it either way. I got tired of it, I was ready for a new look. This is the second time I’ve had the dreads and cut them off, so it really wasn’t a big deal.

Q: Earl, in the next few weeks and months, what do you have to do to make football a business now?

A: Now that this process is over, I have to go into a whole new process: who I will hire as an agent, getting ready to train and work out, that’s the biggest thing. In the NFL, everyone wants to see if you can run, if you can jump, if you can lift weights and those types of things. Just preparing myself mentally and physically for that process is the next step for me.

Q: From the homework you’ve done, where do you feel like you fall in the draft?

A: Hopefully, I’m one of the top receivers taken in this year’s draft. My coaches have prepared me a lot to be one of the top players in the nation. Thanks to my hard work and dedication and their great coaching, it really helped me to be one of the top players.

Q: The Titans need some receivers. Would you want to come back and play for them?

A: (Laughs) It would be great to come back here and play in Nashville, in the state of Tennessee. It’d be great to play with Vince Young; they’ve become a great team, they made it to the playoffs this year, so I’m up for it.

Q: I’ve been told your mom was a big fan of you getting your degree. How much did you have to sell her on the idea of coming out early?

A: I actually had to sell her a lot on this one because that was all she kept saying. I said, “Mom, what do you think?” She said, “Just as long as you get your degree.” I am gonna get my degree; I’m gonna sit down, talk with coach Johnson and our counselor, Mrs. Elizabeth, to make sure that I receive my degree within a year and a half. I won’t wait two years and try to come back.

Q: Did you think that coming back for another year could help your draft stock, or did you think you’ve proven all you can prove?

A: Anytime you can come back, you can always improve your status, especially if you do well. You also have to think about the negatives; if you do come back and you don’t have a productive season and you don’t meet expectations, you have to wonder if you’d fall. If you get hurt, then people wonder, “Can he play through injuries?” Those are types of things you have to think about also.

Q: What’s the first thing you want to buy?

A: My mom a house.