Mountaineers RB Slaton decides to go pro By Joe Schad ESPN.com (Archive) Updated: January 13, 2008, 6:14 PM ET Comment Email Print West Virginia junior running back Steve Slaton said Sunday he will enter the NFL draft. Slaton "I just told my coaches," an emotional Slaton said. "This is hard for me. But my coaches that knew me best have left. And now it's time for me to leave." Slaton said he was projected by the NFL advisory committee as a second-round pick. "Some guys think I'm a step slow," Slaton said. "So I have to show at the combine that I'm not." Slaton said he wasn't able to consult with former West Virginia and current Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez on the decision, but he did speak with his former position coach, Calvin Magee. "It's a good decision for me now, because I'm a versatile back," Slaton said. "As versatile as any back. I can play running back, wide receiver, kick returner. This was hard for me, but it's my time now to go." After setting West Virginia's school record with 1,733 yards rushing in 2006, Slaton ran for 1,051 yards in 2007 to surpass 1,000 yards for the third straight year. He also matched his career-high with 17 touchdowns in 2007. Joe Schad covers college football for ESPN.
I see that hes a bit worried with the new head coach and stud Noel Devine in the waiting and all but this isnt the type of RB class to go competiting with. You have possibly McFadden, Mendenhall, Rice, Stewart, K. Smith, Felix Jones, Mike Hart, Chris Johnson and Temple(He needs a great combine and senior game though to get in the mix with these guys, I like him though), Forte and Choice all in this class of RB's........Some WILL slip to day 2. Hell Ill be happy if the Jets can get one of these guys later in like round 3 or 4, this is a extremely deep RB class.