Pitt RB James Conner declares for 2017 NFL Draft

Sensational Pitt Panthers running back James Conner will be heading off to the NFL

There was really no story more inspirational in college football this season than the return of Pitt Panthers running back James Conner. And as of Saturday, his story is getting that much more incredible.

On Saturday afternoon, the bruising rusher announced that he will be leaving the Panthers program to pursue a career in the NFL. He has officially declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Again, there was no better story in the sport this year. Conner was forced to miss his junior season at Pitt as he battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A crippling diagnosis for anyone, Conner took it all in stride and vowed to return to the football field — and that he did.

Conner made that miraculous return this past season and he was just as good as ever. On the season in 2016, Conner rushed for 1,060 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was also instrumental in helping Pitt upset two of the best teams in the nation this year in Penn State and Clemson on the road in Death Valley.

Following the announcement, the school also released a statement.

With his career at Pitt now over, Conner finishes with 3,701 yards and 52 touchdowns on 660 carries. He was the leader of this offense throughout his career, and there’s no doubt that he will be sorely missed by this program.

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Now, just as he got ready for his amazing return this season, Conner can start getting ready to further his story as he gets set to impress as many NFL scouts as he can. If he was able to come back from that terrible diagnosis, then there’s little doubt that this young man can find a way to succeed in the NFL.