McFadden, Jones to enter NFL draft
editor1 |Jan 14,2008
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FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (Ticker) -- Darren McFadden will not
hang around for the Bobby Petrino era at Arkansas.
McFadden announced Monday that he will forgo his senior season
at Arkansas to enter the 2008 NFL draft.
Fellow running back Felix Jones, another junior, also declared
himself eligible for the draft during a joint news conference at
Broyles Athletic Center.
"After consulting with my family, I feel that entering my name
for the NFL draft is the right decision for me," McFadden said.
"I'm looking forward to the new challenge and am excited to get
started."
"In the past few weeks I have taken time to consider my football
future, and what was the best opportunity for me and my
family," Jones said. "My decision has not been an easy one as I
have tried to balance my love for this university, this state
and the Razorbacks against my desire to play in the NFL."
A two-time All-American and the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy
each of the last two years, McFadden rushed for 1,830 yards and
16 touchdowns this past season.
Monday's announcement was not unexpected, as McFadden widely is
considered the college game's top running back. A two-time Doak
Walker Award winner, McFadden has been projected as a top-five
pick in the upcoming draft, which will be held April 26-27.
"For the past three years, I have been blessed with the
opportunity to attend the University of Arkansas, play football
for the Razorbacks and be a part of something truly special,"
said McFadden, a Little Rock native. "When I was growing up, I
dreamed of playing for the Hogs and the fans of the state, and I
have had a chance to live that dream.
"Now the time has come to pursue another dream of mine playing
in the National Football League."
The electric McFadden was one of the few bright spots in a
topsy-turvy campaign for Arkansas (8-5), which struggled in
Southeastern Conference play before upsetting top-ranked
Louisiana State in the regular-season finale.
Houston Nutt resigned as the Razorbacks' coach three days after
the triple-overtime victory over LSU and was replaced by
Petrino, who unceremoniously left the NFL's Atlanta Falcons on
December 11 to take the Arkansas job the same day.
The school's all-time leading rusher, McFadden ran for 4,590
yards in 38 games at Arkansas. He also set the school's
single-season rushing record this year and finished with the
second-highest total in SEC history.
McFadden has had his share of bad publicity over the last month.
School officials were forced to review McFadden's eligibility to
play vs. Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on December 31 after
several media outlets reported that he violated NCAA compliance
by accepting a car purchased by an agent.
McFadden made negative headlines again last Thursday, when he
was handcuffed by police for "provoking aggressive behavior"
during an altercation outside a Little Rock bar.
Prior to his off-field problems, McFadden authored the best
offensive single season in school history.
Leading Nutt's "Wild Hog" offense in which he worked as a
quarterback out of the shotgun, McFadden spearheaded the
Razorbacks' 50-48 upset of then-No. 1 LSU on November 23.
McFadden rushed for 206 yards and three TDs while also passing
for a score against the Tigers' vaunted defense. He also tied
an SEC record with 321 yards in a 48-36 victory over South
Carolina on November 3.
Jones also enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign for the
Razorbacks, rushing for 1,162 yards and 11 TDs while averaging
an NCAA-best 8.7 yards per carry.
The 6-foot Jones also was a dangerous kickoff returner, setting
Arkansas career records with 1,749 yards on 62 returns for an
average of 28.2 yards.
"Growing up, I dreamed of playing football on Sundays," Jones
said. "After considering all of the factors, I am confident
that my decision to forgo my senior season to enter the NFL
Draft is the right decision.
"My three years at Arkansas have been some of the best years of
my life."
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