Jawan Jamison Declares for the NFL Draft

Rutgers' redshirt Sophomore running back Jawan Jamison will forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. Unlike Logan Ryan's decision to go pro, this one comes as a bit of a surprise, but Jamison may be looking to take advantage of a pretty weak running back crop in this years draft. And again, guys should go after the money that will be there for them. The story was first reported by Joe Schad, and Jamison was supposedly given a third round grade by the draft advisory board.

Jamison came to Rutgers as a 3 star recruit out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, and he became Rutgers' first running back since Ray Rice to rush for over 1000 yards in a season this year, as he earned second team All Big East honors. Jamison emerged as Rutgers' lead back at the end of 2011, and he ends his career On the Banks with 1972 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.

There aren't any running backs projected to go in the first round of the draft, but there are about a dozen backs projected to go in the 2nd to 4th round range. Giovanni Bernad appears to be the top back right now, and Marcus Lattimore should be another top back if his medicals check out. After that, things are jumbled. Jamison will be vying for position with guys like Andre Ellington and Kenjon Barner to get drafted by teams who run a zone heavy scheme or need a change of pace back. The third round is the median range of where he'll get drafted, and he could go as high as the 2nd or as low as the 4th.

Rutgers should still be alright at running back next year with out Jamison. Savon Huggins will take over as the lead back, but they will need a back up to emerge and take the load off Huggins and help in the passing game. Desmon Peoples figures to get the first crack at that role. It will still hurt losing a player of Jamison's caliber though.