Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall leaving for NFL

Rashard Mendenhall will be leaving the Illinois Fighting Illini after his junior season for the NFL. In 2007, Mendenhall rushed 262 times for 1,681 yards -- an average of 6.4 yards per attempt -- and 17 touchdowns while being named Big Ten Player of the Year. The Illini were defeated by USC in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day, but Mendenhall still rushed for 155 yards and caught a few balls for 59 receiving yards. The Trojans were a bit much for the Illini though, as they thoroughly dominated the Illini offense.