Jan. 11, 2008

University of Illinois junior running back Rashard Mendenhall announced today in a press conference that he plans to forgo his senior year of eligibility to enter the 2008 National Football League Amateur Draft on April 26-27. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year was an integral part of Illinois' 9-4 season and seven-win turnaround from the 2006 season.

"This was a very difficult decision because it means leaving the teammates who have meant so much to me the past three years," Mendenhall said. "It has been a life-long dream to play professional football and I feel now is my best opportunity to take that next step. This season has been a great growing experience and I am happy that I was a part of such a special year for Illinois football. I will always think fondly of my time at Illinois and I look forward to representing the Fighting Illini in the NFL."

"Rashard had an amazing season," head coach Ron Zook said. "His performance this year showed that he will be a very talented back at the next level. I am excited for Rashard as he enters this next phase of his football career. I can't thank him enough for his dedication to the Illinois football program and wish him nothing but the best in the NFL."

For the second-straight season, the Illinois offense led the Big Ten in rushing thanks to Mendenhall's strong running and an improved offensive line and. The offense also posted the most rushing yards in the school's history, topping the 3,000 mark for the first time and breaking the Illinois record for total offense yards. Mendenhall set six single-season school records rushing yards (1,681), rushing touchdowns (17), total touchdowns (19), 100-yard games (8), all-purpose yards (1,999) and scoring (114). Most impressively, however, was Mendenhall's breaking of the Illinois mark for career yards per rush at an incredible 6.4 ypc rate. He topped the previous mark of 5.6 held by Pierre Thomas from 2003-06.

Mendenhall became Illinois' feature back in 2007, starting all 13 games. He had key performances in the Illini wins over Indiana in the conference opener and No. 5 Wisconsin. Twice he topped the 200-yard mark with 214 yards vs. the Hoosiers and 201 against Minnesota. Mendenhall also showed big-play ability with 16 plays over 25 yards. Against the fourth-ranked defense of USC, he rattled off gains of 79 and 55 yards in back-to-back drives.

Mendenhall's Honors in 2007
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (by coaches)
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (by media)
• Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award winner
• Third-Team All-America (by Rivals.com)
• Fourth-team All-America (by Phil Steele)
• First-team All-Big Ten (by coaches)
• First-team All-Big Ten (by media)
• Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
• Maxwell Award Semifinalist
• First-team All-Big Ten (by Rivals.com)
• ESPN Helmet Sticker (9/22)
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (9/24)
• ESPN Helmet Sticker (10/6) • Master Coaches Game Ball (10/6)

CAREER HIGHS
Carries: 28 vs. Ball State, 10/27/07
Rushing Yards: 214 at Indiana, 9/22/07
Long Run: 86 at Northwestern, 11/18/06
Rushing TDs: 3 at Syracuse, 9/15/07
Receptions: 5 vs. USC, 1/1/08
Receiving Yards: 78 vs. Syracuse, 9/16/06
Long Reception: 76 vs. Syracuse, 9/16/06
Receiving TDs: 1, five times (last time vs. 10/6/07)
All-Purpose Yards: 232 at Indiana, 9/22/07

Mendenhall in the Illinois Record Books ...
Season Rushing Yards
1. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 1,681
2. Antoineo Harris, 2002 1,330
3. Robert Holcombe, 1996 1,281
4. Jim Grabowski, 1965 1,258
5. J.C. Caroline, 1953 1,256

Career Rushing Yards
1. Robert Holcombe, 1994-97 4,105
2. Antoineo Harris, 1999-2002 2,985
3. Thomas Rooks, 1982-85 2,887
4. Jim Grabowski, 1963-65 2,878
5. Rocky Harvey, 1998-2001 2,711
6. Pierre Thomas, 2003-06 2,545
7. Rashard Mendenhall, 2005-07 2,539

Season Rushing Touchdowns
1. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 17
2. Howard Griffith, 1990 15
3. Johnny Karras, 1951 13
4. Robert Holcombe, 1996 12
Red Grange, 1924 12

Season Total Touchdowns
1. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 19
2. Howard Griffith, 1990 15
3. Red Grange, 1924 13
Buddy Young, 1944 13
John Karras, 1951 13
Robert Holcombe, 1996 13

Single Season 100-Yard Rushing Games
1. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 8
2. Jim Grabowski, 1965 6
J.C. Caroline, 1953 6
4. Antoineo Harris, 2002 5
Robert Holcombe, 1997 5
Robert Holcombe, 1996 5
Robert Holcombe, 1995 5
Rich Johnson, 1968 5
Jim Grabowski, 1964 5

Season Points Scored TD X1 X2 FG TP
1. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 19 0 0 0 114
2. Neil Rackers, 1999 1 44 0 20 110
3. Mike Bass, 1982 0 32 0 24 104
4. Chris White, 1984 0 31 0 24 103
5. Jason Reda, 2007 0 44 0 16 92

Season All-Purpose Yardage
1. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 1,999
2. Keith Jones, 1988 1,818
3. Pierre Thomas, 2004 1,665
4. Robert Holcombe, 1997 1,530
5. Robert Holcombe, 1996 1,522

Single Season Attempts
1. Robert Holcombe, 1997 294
2. Antoineo Harris, 2002 278
3. Robert Holcombe, 1995 264
4. Rashard Mendenhall, 2007 262
5. Robert Holcombe, 1996 260