Mendenhall leaving Illinois to enter NFL draft
Four years ago, when a former Illinois assistant coach got a peek at Rashard Mendenhall's highlight reel from his junior year at Niles West High School, he proclaimed Walter Payton to be Mendenhall's closest comparison as a runner.
Lofty words, but they came one step closer to reality Thursday for the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year.
In front of an adoring crowd at his high school alma mater in Skokie, Mendenhall revealed his thinly hid intention to throw his name into the 2008 NFL draft.
Mendenhall, who began planning his early entry before his record-setting junior year at Illinois even got under way, expects to be a first-round selection on April 26.
That's based on the glowing evaluation provided to Mendenhall's family by the NFL's draft advisory board, as well as the 20-year-old's healthy self-confidence.
"It was a really good grade," Mendenhall said. "I've got a lot of confidence in my ability -- and that projection has a lot to do with it."
Indianapolis Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez, the last first-round pick in the 2007 draft, received a five-year, $7.5-million contract.
After displaying NFL-caliber skills across the board -- speed, vision, power, wiggle -- Mendenhall doesn't think he will be on the draft board that long.
Though the 5-foot-11, 222-pound powerhouse is one of six junior runners who already have announced their decision to turn pro -- with Arkansas' Darren McFadden and Felix Jones and Oregon's Jonathan Stewart expected to follow suit by the Tuesday deadline -- Mendenhall isn't sure he takes a back seat to anybody.
"That's obviously a factor how deep the class is," Mendenhall said. "But I have a lot of confidence in myself and my abilities."
With one year's worth of classes to go before earning his degree in sport management, Mendenhall will remain enrolled at Illinois for the spring semester.
He plans to continue working with Illini strength and conditioning coach Lou Hernandez to prepare for the NFL combine "if I'm invited to the combine."
With Illinois' record-setting running back ready to become the school's first first-round draft pick since 1996, spring practice turns into a massive battle to help replace Mendenhall's 1,681 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
Senior-to-be Daniel Dufrene (294 yards, 2 TDs) served as Mendenhall's backup all season, but there will be at least four others fighting for time.
Freshman Troy Pollard, who'll receive a medical redshirt after tearing his ACL in the Big Ten opener at Indiana, and fifth-year senior Walter Mendenhall are the only ones with college experience.
"I'm going to work to the best of my abilities and hopefully get that top spot," said Walter Mendenhall, who rushed four times for 57 yards against Minnesota. "I feel I have a legit shot."
Incoming freshman Mikel LeShoure, a Champaign Centennial product who reminds many of New Orleans rookie Pierre Thomas, will start school next week and be a part of spring practice.
Belleville Althoff's Jason Ford, an elusive speedster who set the St. Louis area career rushing record with 6,415 yards and 75 touchdowns, plans to sign a letter of intent in February.
Heirs to the throne?
With Rashard Mendenhall taking his record-setting 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns to the NFL, the Illini have a void at running back. Here are the candidates to get carries in the 2008 opener against Missouri on Aug. 30 in St. Louis:
Player Year Ht. Wt. Career stats
Daniel Dufrene Sr. 5-11 197 47 carries, 294 yards, 2 TDs in 2007
Troy Pollard r-Fr. 5-8 180 23 carries, 148 yards in 2007 Walter Mendenhall Sr. 6-0 225 6 carries, 62 yards
Mikel LeShoure Fr. 6-0 220 4,658 career yards, 54 TDs at Champaign Centennial
Jason Ford Fr. 5-10 209 6,415 career yards, 75 TDs at Belleville Althoff