Football: Slaton to Enter NFL Draft
January 13, 2008 08:14 PM | General
January 13, 2008
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| Steve Slaton |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University football standout running back Steve Slaton has announced that he is not coming back to school for his senior season and plans to enter the NFL Draft.
“I called the NFL about two weeks ago, and they told me that I was assessed as a second-round selection,” Slaton said. “I waited to make this public until I was able to come back to Morgantown and talk with Coach (Bill) Stewart today.
feel very good about my chances to do well in the NFL. I am as versatile a running back as there is in the draft. There are a lot of running backs going out early, but I believe I have the speed and the ability to get drafted higher than the level where I am projected. I will continue to work hard and plan to go to the combine and have a good showing.
"I loved my time at West Virginia. There wasn’t a place that I would rather be because my teammates, coaches and fans have always supported me. It was a great feeling knowing that the fans supported me whether we won or even when we lost.
“We won a lot of games during my time here at West Virginia, and I have made a lot of great friends and have a lot of good memories. I wish the players and coaches nothing but the best in the future.”
Slaton, the holder of several school records and a second-team all-BIG EAST selection in 2007, ran for 1,051 yards as a junior and scored 17 touchdowns and was second on the team with 26 catches for 350 yards and a touchdown.
One of the top running backs to ever play at WVU, Slaton ran for 3,293 yards, scored a school-record 50 touchdowns and was tied for second in school history for career 100-yard rushing performances with 21. He also had 65 catches for 805 yards and scored five touchdowns.
”Steve and I had a very private and heart-warming conversation today,” WVU Head Football Coach Bill Stewart said. “It will remain private. I have Steve and this football programs best interest in mind.
“I believe every student athlete, male or female, should pursue, exhaust and complete their eligibility and academic requirements for graduation at their institution. With that being said. If someone can be financially secure with a large signing bonus, I understand that decision.
“The average career of an NFL player is approximately 3.2 years so you better get all you can in your signing bonus. I support all of our player’s decisions 100 percent.”
Slaton is No. 2 on the BIG EAST’s career rushing touchdown list, third on the career rushing chart, tied for third in 100-yard career games, No. 7 in touchdowns responsible for and No. 3 in single-season rushing yards.
In active career national statistics, Slaton is No. 1 in all-time rushing touchdowns and points scored per game, No. 6 in total points, No. 7 in all-time rushing yards and yards per game and No. 8 in rushing yards per carry.
Last season as a sophomore, he earned All-America honors after running for 1,744 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was third on the team in receptions with 27 for 360 yards and two touchdowns.
Slaton rushed for a 1,128 yards as a freshman in 2005 and scored 17 touchdowns. He also finished with 12 catches for 95 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Slaton will leave for Scottsdale, Ariz., this week to train and will remain there until the draft.
