[College Sports News]

California junior running back Marshawn Lynch has announced his intention to declare for the 2007 NFL Draft. Lynch was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and a first team All-American for the Golden Bears. In his final career game, the Oakland product ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bears to a 45-10 victory over Texas A&M in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. California finished the year with a 10-3 record and is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation.

California Tailback Marshawn Lynch Declares for NFL Draft

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Huh?...cool...everyone see this kid as a projected 1st rounder?...Any negatives to him?

[candlejack]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Huh?...cool...everyone see this kid as a projected 1st rounder?...Any negatives to him?

I knew that this was going to happen. The only negatives to him is that he has been injured over the past couple of years. I predict that he will go late 1st or early 2nd round. Oh, his injuries have been to his legs, especially his ankles this past year.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by candlejack

I knew that this was going to happen. The only negatives to him is that he has been injured over the past couple of years. I predict that he will go late 1st or early 2nd round. Oh, his injuries have been to his legs, especially his ankles this past year.

The leg Injuries will surely drop him to 2nd round I would think...

[Volphins]

Well at least the Vols won't have to deal with him in the Cal/UT rematch. Does anyone know anything about his backup/replacement?

[EmpireWF]

If he has great workouts and a good combine, he could find himself in the latter portion of the first round. But he's definitely a first day pick and most likely a 2nd round pick at the latest.

[fhirs]

With Lynch gone and Nate Longshore going on his Mormon mission -- is he doing that? I read a while back that he was, but I'm not sure -- then Cal is going to be seriously weakened next year.

I have heard that Marshawn could go in the mid to early part of the first round because there are so few other good running backs in the draft.

[candlejack]

Originally Posted by Volphins

Well at least the Vols won't have to deal with him in the Cal/UT rematch. Does anyone know anything about his backup/replacement?

Justin Forestt will now be the starrting RB for the Golden Bears next season. He is not as tall or as powerful as Marshawn, but I think he is a touch quicker and is able to "sneak" through defensive lines. As Marshawen's replacement a couple of years ago, Justin rusher for 999 yards for the season. If the Bears had used them both effectively, they could have tandemed for 1,000 yards each. Justin Forestt is a very capable back and the Bears shouldn't lose a step in the RB department next year.