SATURDAY, 5:52pm: Johnson’s mother, Cassandra Mitchell, has informed Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post that her son will indeed be entering the 2015 draft.
THURSDAY, 11:58am: One of the top running back prospects will likely be trying his luck in the NFL, as Yahoo’s Rand Getlin tweets that Miami back Duke Johnson is expected to announce that he’s entering the NFL draft. One source tells Getlin that they’d be “shocked if he stays in school” for his senior year.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. recently ranked Johnson as the fifth-best running back prospect in the upcoming draft, and WalterFootball.com projected the junior to be taken between the first and third round. Meanwhile, Rob Rang of CBSSports.com compared Johnson to Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, specifically pointing out the similarities between the players’ jump-cuts and acceleration. However, Rang believes Johnson lacks the size to be a premier back, suggesting he might succeed in a two-back system.
The former ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year is Miami’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage. He had his most productive season in 2014, rushing for 1,520 yards and ten scores, while also compiling 33 catches for 370 yards.