After two sterling seasons as the Arizona starting running back, there was simply nothing left for Ka'Deem Carey to accomplish in college. And so it is hardly a surprise that Carey is departing. He will forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL Draft, the school confirmed Monday.
Sure, there was the chance to smash Pac-12 records and win the Doak Walker Award that had eluded him. He could have tried to lead the Wildcats to their first-ever appearance in the Rose Bowl in his final year of eligibility, but realistically Carey had to move on.
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Carey (5-foot-10, 207 pounds) demonstrated a complete skill set to erase concerns he was merely the product of head coach Rich Rodriguez's spread offense. After rushing for 1,929 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore, Carey added 1,885 yards and 19 scores in 2013 despite missing a stat-stuffing season opener against Northern Arizona while serving a one-game suspension.
Carey added 77 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns for his career.
His toughness, durability and elusiveness were best displayed during a shocking upset of Oregon in November, as Carey carried the ball a school-record 48 times for 206 yards and four touchdowns.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.