AUBURN, Ala. — Wide receiver Tim Hawthorne has left the Auburn football team before the Outback Bowl and will not return for his senior season.

“Tim is graduating and has decided to move forward with his career," Tigers head coach Gene Chizik said in a release from the school. "We are very appreciative of what Tim gave to the Auburn football program during the last four years and congratulate him on earning his degree. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Hawthorne, once ranked the No. 2 overall player in the state in 2006 out of Homewood (Ala.) High, had an injury-plagued career on the Plains. He redshirted in 2006 before missing spring practice in 2007 after suffering injuries as a passenger in a serious car crash that killed a friend.

He broke his arm in the spring of 2008 and broke a bone in his right foot during summer workouts this July after emerging from the spring as Auburn's top receiver.

The junior was slow to recover. Although he started the third game of the season against West Virginia, he had a minor role. He had only one catch this year for 3 yards against Furman.

He finished his career with 13 receptions for 253 yards.

Receivers Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery thrived in his place this season, catching 72 combined passes for 1,321 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Hawthorne graduates today with a degree in public administration.

"He hasn't burned any bridges with us and he'll always be a part of the Auburn family and be an Auburn man," wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor said.