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Miami Hurricanes RB Duke Johnson To Enter 2015 NFL Draft

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 6, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs against Florida A&M Rattlers defense during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs against Florida A&M Rattlers defense during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami running back Duke Johnson is leaving the Hurricanes early and will enter the 2015 NFL Draft.

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Duke Johnson was expected to disclose his plans for the NFL Draft after Saturday’s Duck Commander Independence Bowl against South Carolina as a birthday present of sorts for his mother Cassandra Mitchell whose birthday is Sunday. However, the secret is already out and Mitchell tells the Palm Beach Post that Johnson is headed to the NFL.

The decision to turn pro is not unexpected for the junior running back who became the program’s all-time leader in rushing and all-purpose yards earlier this season with 3,387 rushing yards and 5,351 all-purpose yards, respectively, entering Saturday’s Independence Bowl.

He is one 100-yard rushing effort shy of tying Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James for the most in school history with 14 and he needs one rushing touchdown to move into sole possession of fifth place with 27.

The 5-9, 206 pound running back projects as a second to high third round pick and adds to a loaded group at the running back position with Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, Ameer Abdullah all likely to hear their name called in the first 75 picks.

Running backs have had to be patient in recent years with zero running backs taken in the first round and a draft record set for the second year in a row with the first back, Bishop Sankey, taken with the 54th pick in the 2014 draft. And with Johnson adding to the deep class we could see as many as three-four taken before Sankey went last year.

Johnson ran for 947 and 920 his freshman and sophomore year, respectively, but exploded for 1,520 yards this year entering the bowl game and set career-highs in carries with 218, ypc with 7.0, tied his touchdown mark with 10 and set new highs with 33 receptions for 370 yards and three touchdowns. Helping his draft stock is his past experience as a kick returner his first two seasons with the Canes.

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