Over the past four years as a student and athlete at Penn State, I've learned a great deal about life. I've learned the merits of hard work in the classroom and on the practice field. I've learned how to sacrifice for the good of the team and how to stay positive.

In addition to learning, I've matured over this period, and I believe that because of my years at Penn State, I am prepared to face the many challenges that are ahead.

After extensive thoughts with my family, my friends, Coach (Joe) Paterno and a lot of other people in the University, I decided to waive my fifth year of eligibility at Penn State and petition for the NFL draft.

In respects, this was not a hard decision because it gives me the opportunity to provide some security for my family.

And with that, Ki-Jana Carter officially ended his Nittany Lion football career.

-- -- --

I had only seen the expression Carter wore on his face yesterday one other time. That was at the Downtown Athletic Club in Manhattan, after he finished second to Colorado's Rashaan Salaam for the Heisman Trophy.

An expression missing the ever-present smile and the eyes that find daylight in darkness and light up a room. His mind was somewhere else.

"I think when I got (to the Heisman presentation) and realized what kind of season I had and really getting no credit for it, I wondered what would happen to me next year if I did the same thing," he said. "So I figured, why try to come back and do the same thing I did and not get anything for it when I can try to do that in the NFL a year before?"

After Carter gained 1,539 yards and scored 23 touchdowns this season, he left the postseason-awards ceremonies in Orlando and New York empty-handed. He was a consensus All-American, but he had nothing to show for it.

Meanwhile, Salaam had become the fourth running back in Division I-A history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Even with 100 less carries, Carter led the nation with a 7.8 yards per carry average.

"What else could I have done this year?" Carter asked.

He helped lead the Lions to an undefeated season, their first Big Ten championship, a victory in the Rose Bowl and what Penn State considers a national championship.

It's time to move on . . .

Only five minutes after his announcement -- a foregone conclusion in the minds of college football fans -- Carter broke down. He sniffled and his soft voice weakened and cracked and spoke with emotion. He paused, lowering his head to wipe his eyes, and took a deep breath before continuing.

It should have been the happiest day of his life. The riches that come with a fat NFL contract will end his mother's long days at her Westerville, Ohio beauty salon. Carter can now provide for the family that raised him.

"It's like my mom always said, 'We're wealthy. We're thankful we've got our family and everything. That's all we need. We're the richest family in the world.' "

-- -- --

Split end Bobby Engram, his roommate, and Paterno, his father figure and coach, are Carter's two closest ties to the University. Unselfishly, they urged Carter to take advantage of his opportunity.

"I'd be more emotional if Bobby and Coach Paterno were here," he said. "I'm kind of glad they wasn't because I wouldn't be able to talk right now."

-- -- --

There are more memories than there is space.

"The one when he had an 80-yard touchdown run in eight seconds," said Dan Lindenberger (freshman-aerospace engineering). "I can't remember which game it was."

Forgive Lindenberger if he can't quite place his fondest memory of Carter. But the redshirt junior tailback had three touchdown runs of 80 yards or more this season: In the season opener at Minnesota, the 35-29 win at Indiana and the 83-yarder on the Lions' first offensive play in the Rose Bowl that all but sealed his decision.

Carter looks small behind a microphone, but muscles explode from his body the way he explodes through an open hole in the defense.

The most prominent feature that stands out on Carter are his calves -- described as fast and strong, quick and powerful all at once.

With his ability, he should have an ego similar in size to those calves. Carter should be cocky and boastful. He should strut after a touchdown, not hand the ball to the man in stripes.

But he's a Nittany Lion, not a Miami Hurricane. Instead, he's humble and honest, always honest.

He'll tell you how he saw it -- so innocently it seems funny. But he never laughs, because he's serious. And you don't know Ki-Jana until you hear his high-pitched, child-like "Hee-hee-hee." Not until you've seen him smile and shake your hand and introduce himself.

"Ki-Jana," he says, extending his hand.

But you probably already knew that, because he could be the greatest tailback in Penn State history. The feature tailback on the greatest offense college football has ever seen.

And he's a certain top-five pick.