Washington RB Chris Polk to enter NFL draft

SEATTLE (AP) ? Chris Polk wanted to own all of Washington's records for running backs by the time he left school.

He doesn't have every one, but he's got plenty of accolades to put on his resume for NFL teams.

Washington made the expected announcement on Monday that Polk will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, leaving the Huskies as the No. 2 rusher all-time in school history trailing only Napoleon Kaufman.

Polk's career ended last Thursday night in the Alamo Bowl when he posted his 21st 100-yard rushing game, one of his many school records. Polk ran for 147 yards on 30 carries and one touchdown in the Huskies' 67-56 loss to Baylor.

"Chris had a terrific career at Washington and deserves the opportunity to move on to the next level," Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement. "We wish him nothing but the best in what I'm sure will be a great professional career."

Polk finished with 4,049 yards rushing, barely behind Kaufman's 4,106 set in the 1990s. Polk also holds the career school records for carries (799) and average per game (101.2). He had the second-best rushing game in school history in the 2010 Apple Cup against Washington State when he ran for 284 yards.

Polk had said last week before the Alamo Bowl that he was still trying to decide to return for a fifth year at Washington ? he received a medical redshirt after a shoulder injury in his freshman year. But Polk already has turned 22 and earned his bachelor's degree in American ethnic studies.

He ran for 1,488 yards as a junior, the second-best single-season in Washington history. He went for 1,415 yards as a sophomore and 1,113 as a redshirt freshman in 2009.

The decision to come out early might also have to do with a thin draft class at running back. Polk is considered among the top tier of running back potentially available in the draft, and is projected to likely be selected on the second day in the second or third rounds.

The departure of Polk means Washington will turn to either Jesse Callier or freshman Bishop Sankey as its main ball carrier next season. Callier ran for 260 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry this season, while Sankey in spot duty ran for 187 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per rush. The Huskies also may get back Johri Fogerson, who missed most of this season with a knee injury and Deontae Cooper, a highly regarded recruit who has yet to play in two seasons on campus due to a pair of knee injuries.

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Source: http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Washington-RB-Chris-Polk-to-enter-NFL-draft-2437017.php

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