Gilyard won't enter draft

Press release from UC:

University of Cincinnati wide receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard (Bunnell, Fla./Flagler Palm Coast) announced Wednesday that he will return for his senior season.

"I'm better served by staying in school for my senior year," Gilyard said. "I still have a lot to learn as a player. We accomplished some great things in 2008 and I look forward to continuing that in 2009."

Cincinnati had a record-setting 11-3 season that saw the Bearcats win their first BIG EAST Championship and earn a spot in the FedEx Orange Bowl which marked the program's first appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game.

Gilyard was named the 2008 BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year, a first-team all-America selection by Rivals.com, and a first-team all-BIG EAST pick at both wide receiver and kick returner. He was also a fourth-team all-America honoree by Phil Steele.

He made 81 catches for a school-record 1,276 yards and a team-high 11 touchdowns. He also set a school record with 994 kickoff return yards along with a pair of touchdowns. Gilyard had a team-high seven 100-plus yard receiving games, including four straight to close out the season.

In the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl, Gilyard had seven catches for a school-record 158 yards and a touchdown.