University of Alabama running back Eddie Lacy declared his intention to apply for entry into the NFL draft Friday, the Mobile Press-Register's Andrew Gribble reported. Lacy ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the BCS Championship game as the Crimson Tide won their second consecutive title.
Lacy posted 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns as a first-time starter and replacement for Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson. This will be the third consecutive year the starting Alabama running back has been drafted into the league. The New Orleans Saints' Mark Ingram won the Heisman trophy in 2010 despite the young Richardson being the better back. He rushed for 602 yards in 2012. Richardson was Mr. Everything in Cleveland - running for 950 yards and was No. 2 on the team with 51 receptions.
At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Lacy is a taller, leaner back than Richardson (5-9, 220). Lacy has more speed, though Richardson runs with more power. Lacy is a better prospect than Ingram was.
Richardson was selected No. 3 overall and Ingram went No. 28. Lacy could land somewhere in between despite the NFL Draft Advisory board projecting him as a second-round pick.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
