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Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey to declare for 2017 NFL Draft

By Brad Berreman

Oct 29, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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As he gets set to finish another productive season, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey will reportedly declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

After setting the single-season NCAA record for all-purpose yards (3,864), setting a school record with 2,019 rushing yard and finishing as Heisman Trophy runner-up to Derrick Henry, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey entered this season as a front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy. But a down stretch in the middle of the season, including a missed game against Notre Dame, quickly diminished his chances.

McCaffrey finished the regular season strongly, with at least 135 rushing yards in six straight games and over 200 yards on the ground in each of the final two games. McCaffrey leads the country in all-purpose yards per game this season (211.5), and he led the Pac-12 in rushing (1,596 yards) as well. On the heels of two straight prolific seasons, with one game to go this year, Monday’s news regarding McCaffrey’s future plans is not surprising.

According Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, McCaffrey will declare early for the 2017 NFL Draft. Miller has tabbed the junior running back as a first-round prospect and a lock to go in the top 50 overall. CBS Sports.com thinks similarly highly of McCaffrey, and he’s only behind LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Florida State’s Dalvin Cook in their running back rankings right now.

McCaffey had more than 1,000 kickoff return yards in 2015, and he has 83 receptions with eight receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons. That versatile skill set makes him a nice fit in today’s NFL, and an opportunity to earn a substantial role would be all that prevents him from making an immediate impact as a rookie.

Related Story: 5 NFL teams that should draft Leonard Fournette

McCaffrey’s last college game will come on Dec. 30, in the Sun Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels. If his multi-purpose dismantling of Iowa in last year’s Rose Bowl is any indication, McCaffrey will leave the college game on an incredibly high note.

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