Didn't see this coming....
Alabama RB Glen Coffee to forego senior season, enter the NFL DraftPosted by Ian R. Rapoport -- Birmingham News January 09, 2009 1:54 PM
Categories: Breaking News
TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama running back Glen Coffee has decided to forego his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, a source close to the player told The Birmingham News today.
Glen Coffee, who had a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl, is going pro (Photo by Mark Almond/Birmingham News)Coffee was second in the Southeastern Conference with 1,383 rushing yards on 233 carries with 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound junior from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., had formally requested an evaluation from the NFL draft advisory board prior to the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Coffee, who was not immediately available for comment, joins All-American left tackle Andre Smith as Crimson Tide players who declared for the draft before fulfilling their eligibility.
Prior to the bowl game, Coffee had said the move was a possibility.
"It's there," he said. "I've definitely thought about it. I'm going to let the paperwork get back, then I'll think about that and really sit down and focus on that."
Before his breakout 2008 season that landed him on the list of Doak Walker Award semifinalists, Coffee was limited because of injuries and a four-game suspension for violating textbook disbursement policy.
For his career, he has gained 2,107 yards with 14 touchdowns.
His decision leaves sophomore-to-be Mark Ingram, who gained 728 yards on the ground, as the leading returning running back. Committed five-star running back Trent Richardson of Pensacola, Fla., should he stay true on his pledge, could also compete for the spot.