COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -Missouri tight end Chase Coffman expects to return for his senior season rather than enter the NFL draft, but isn't quite ready to make that decision final.

Around the time No. 7 Missouri (11-2) plays No. 25 Arkansas (8-4) in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, Coffman expects to hear back from the NFL advisory committee that offers advice to juniors who think they may want to enter the draft. The committee suggests which round in the draft it believes a player would be picked. Coffman sent in an application that includes mostly game film.

Until he hears back, he won't decide whether to turn pro.

``As of right now I'm almost positive I'll be staying,'' Coffman said. ``Whenever we get this thing back that predicts what round, I'll sit down and think a little bit more.''

Last year, Coffman's fellow tight end, Martin Rucker, went through the same process. Given a fifth-round prediction, he returned for his senior season and became an All-American.

Coffman is third on the team with 51 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns. An ankle injury midway through the season has slowed him down the stretch.

Coffman underwent surgery after Missouri lost the Big 12 title game to Oklahoma, but is expected to be healthy for the Cotton Bowl.

Quarterback Chase Daniel, who was fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, has also asked for a review from the NFL advisory committee, but he has said he fully expects to return for his junior year.