TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons will give up his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft after finishing second on the team in tackles this season.

``We are representing him,'' agent Drew Rosenhaus said Friday. ``In my discussions with teams, he has the legitimate chance to be the first player drafted in his position.''

The 20-year-old Timmons led the Seminoles with 18 tackles for losses this season and scored three touchdowns, including a 25-yard fumble return in Florida State's 44-27 win Wednesday over UCLA in the Emerald Bowl.

The agent said Timmons and his family, who are from Florence, S.C., had been considering a move to professional football for some time.

Florida State has sent many successful linebackers into the NFL, including Detroit Lions rookie Ernie Sims, the ninth player taken in last year's draft.

``Lawrence has an opportunity to continue that trend,'' Rosenhaus said.

Others in recent years include Derrick Brooks, Marvin Jones, Sam Cowart, Garth Jax, Tommy Polley and Jesse Solomon.

Senior middle linebacker Buster Davis, the Seminoles' leading tackler, must also be replaced. Sophomore Geno Hayes becomes the lone returning starter at linebacker.

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Associated Press Writer Lisa Orkin Emmanuel in Miami contributed to this report.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.