Texas running back D'Onta Foreman said Wednesday he will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft after rushing for 2,028 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
A lightly-regarded recruit when he signed with Texas in 2014, Foreman projects as a possible early-round draft choice and is a finalist for the Doak Walker Award given to college football's top running back.
His rushing total in 11 games this season -- he missed a game because of a hamstring injury -- was the second-best in school history, behind only Ricky Williams in 1998 when he won the Heisman Trophy.
"I want to be remembered as one of the best backs to come through here. I feel like I've earned it," Foreman said.
A 6-foot-1, 250-pound bruiser, Foreman set a school record with 13 consecutive 100-yard games dating back to last season. He averaged more than 230 yards over his last five games, including a 341-yard effort against Texas Tech.
Despite those numbers, Texas still finished 5-7 and Charlie Strong was fired last week after this third consecutive losing season. Texas then hired Houston's Tom Herman who led the Cougars to a 22-4 record the last two years.
Foreman said he met with Herman this week to discuss his future.
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"He understood my decision. He said, `We could use you here, we want you to be here.' (But) he was real supportive," Foreman said, adding he would "probably" leave Texas even if Strong was still the coach.
Foreman described an emotional week leading up to his decision. He wept leaving the field after Texas lost to TCU 31-9 in its final game of the season.
"It was tough. I was very emotional. I cried one more than one occasion," Foreman said.
