Source: Mendenhall to NFL per ESPN

[ThreeSportStar80]

Source: Big Ten Player of the Year Mendenhall going pro

By Joe Schad
ESPN.com
(Archive)





Updated: January 5, 2008, 1:31 PM ET

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Illinois junior running back Rashard Mendenhall will enter the NFL draft, a source close to him said Saturday.


Mendenhall, the Big Ten Player of the Year, made his final case as a pro prospect in the Rose Bowl, where he gained 155 yards rushing and added 59 receiving yards in the Fighting Illini's loss to Southern California.


In 2007, Mendenhall rushed 262 times for 1,681 yards -- an average of 6.4 yards per attempt -- and 17 touchdowns.


Mendenhall's college coach, Ron Zook, told the Chicago Tribune that he expected he would turn pro.


"We all know he's a first-round talent," Zook said, according to the newspaper.


The Tribune also reported that his mother, Sibyl, said a news conference was planned for Thursday at Niles West High School, his alma mater.

Joe Schad covers college football for ESPN.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3182506

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dallas definitely needs to look long and hard at drafting this guy...

[IlliniNation]

Sucks for us Illini fans but good luck to Rashard!!! Lets hope Dallas can get him.

[ThreeSportStar80]

Agreed!

[JerryFan]

Originally Posted by IlliniNation

Sucks for us Illini fans but good luck to Rashard!!! Lets hope Dallas can get him.

We all knew it was coming. Now Jaime Harper needs to sign with the Illini in Feb and Jerry DRAFT 'Shard. I know I've been pimping this guy for awhile now and he is on my team, but the guy is a STUD! He does it all and he will take it to the house at any given time.

[Bob Sacamano]

give me Mendenhall, Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson or Ray Rice, and I'll be a happy camper

[Avery]

I'll take Mendenhall at #22, please.