AP
Ray Rice, the leading rusher in Rutgersâ history, said today he will enter the NFL Draft instead of coming back for his senior year.
âI have always dreamed of playing in the NFL, and I felt the time is right to pursue the opportunity to play at the next level,â Rice said in a statement. Rice was a major contributor to Rutgersâ transformation from a perennial doormat into a Top 25 team over the last three years.
In his three seasons, the Scarlet Knights were 26-12 after failing to finish above .500 in the 12 previous seasons.
Rice leaves Rutgers with numerous records including career rushing yards (4,926), career rushing touchdowns (49) and rushing yards in a season (2,012) and game (280). He became the 13th player in NCAA history to gain more than 2,000 yards in a season.
He was named to The Associated Pressâ All-American second team as a sophomore and junior.
Rice capped his career with a 280-yard, four-touchdown performance in Rutgersâ 52-30 win over Ball State in last Saturdayâs International Bowl. It was Rutgersâ third straight bowl game and second straight bowl win after the school went 27 years without qualifying for a bowl.
âI am very happy for Ray and his family,â Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said. âHe has been one of the elite players in college football during his career at Rutgers. Although we will miss him greatly, we all look forward to watching him play on Sundays.â
Rice and Schiano were scheduled to hold a news conference tomorrow.