Sat Jan 12 02:21:41 2008

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McFadden reportedly turning pro

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Fayetteville, AR (Sports Network) - Arkansas junior running back Darren McFadden, a two-time runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, will reportedly forego his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, according to a report by ESPN.

McFadden, the 2006 Heisman runner-up to Ohio State's Troy Smith and the second-place finisher to Tim Tebow of Florida in 2007, ran for 1,725 yards with 15 touchdowns in 12 regular-season games as a junior. He tied an SEC record with 321 rushing yards in a November 3 game against South Carolina and averaged 143.8 yards per game -- fourth-best in the nation.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound McFadden, a product of Little Rock's Pulaski High School, then gained 105 yards on 21 carries in the Razorbacks' 38-7 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day.

In addition, the multi-purpose threat had 21 receptions for 164 yards with another score, and also threw for four touchdown passes this season. A two- time winner of the Doak Walker Award, given to the country's top running back, McFadden will likely be among the top five players selected in the April draft.

During his three-year career at Arkansas, McFadden carried 785 times for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns, while catching 46 passes for 365 yards and a pair of scores.

Junior tailback Felix Jones, the second member of the Hogs' dynamic backfield, has not yet decided whether he will join McFadden in turning pro.