[WVU83]

West Virginia junior running back Steve Slaton said Sunday he will enter the NFL draft.

Steve Slaton

Slaton

"I just told my coaches," an emotional Slaton said. "This is hard for me. But my coaches that knew me best have left. And now it's time for me to leave."

Slaton said he was projected by the NFL advisory committee as a second-round pick.

"Some guys think I'm a step slow," Slaton said. "So I have to show at the combine that I'm not."

Slaton said he wasn't able to consult with former West Virginia and current Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez on the decision, but did speak with his former position coach, Calvin Magee.

"It's a good decision for me now because I'm a versatile back," Slaton said. "As versatile as any back. I can play running back, wide receiver, kick returner. This was hard for me but it's my time now to go."

After setting West Virginia's school record with 1,733 yards rushing last season, Slaton ran for 1,051 yards this season to surpass 1,000 yards for the third straight time. He matched his career-high with 17 touchdowns in 2007.

Joe Schad covers college football for ESPN.

[JonnyFiveAlive]

Happy trailss.... to you....

Not a big deal I don't think. Likely the right move for Slaton. Wouldve liked to keep him around, but Noel Devin would take his carries and this year probably wouldnt have been any better for him...

[Ziggy]

Here is FOX Sports Official Statement.

After a stellar 11-2 season, West Virginia is going to be losing more than just its coach.

Headed to the NFL


Steve Slaton
West Virginia
Running back

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATT Yards AVG TD REC Yards TD
664 3923 5.9 50 65 805 5


Mountaineers star running back Steve Slaton will skip his senior season and declare for the NFL draft, his father, Carl Slaton, said in a report by the Philadelphia Daily News.

The departure of coach Rich Rodriguez to Michigan played a major factor in Slaton's decision.

"It was pushed on him with Rodriguez leaving and taking the whole coaching staff," Carl Slaton told the Daily News.

"If he went back, he would have to learn a new system and the coaches coming in now, they are looking toward the future."

According to the report, Slaton's family has been told he is a projected second-round pick, but "the NFL draft is a crapshoot," Carl said.

As much as everyone around here would have liked to see him get more big -time plays, even I think my criticism of his lack of production on the field, along with others, is wrong. Slaton was a great running back for WVU, and even during this past season he gained over 1000 yards. He bulked up and put on some weight, which should help him as an NFL running back during traditional running plays.

[WVU-Lifer]

Well, this sucks!! I wish him the very best in the NFL, he has done the Blue and Gold proud! My question is this: Is Noel Devine big enough to play every down? I know he has elite qualities and abilities, but can he take a continious beating over a 12 game schedule avg say 20-25 carries per game? Do we have any solid back ups? Someone please let me know. Thanks.

[bernie41]

I think the Dominion Post had a great article today by two analysts who reviewed the WVU players who may be drafted. Their opinion on Slaton was mixed. Durability is the big question. His speed is probably the greatest asset. They seem to think he will be a role player and not one who carries the ball 20 to 30 times per game. They also did a great job of describing Schmidt's realistic potential. There is llimited use for a pure fullback in the pros these days according to these guys, so he will have to fit into something different than what he did so well at WVU.

[Ziggy]

Those guys are big enough to handle the pressures associated with the rough and tumble NFL. It isn't a question of their condition as atheletes but rather their star status on the team. If a team would highlight them they could produce as well as any standard back in the league. Their physical condition is great.