After two seasons as the most productive running back in college football, Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey has requested an evaluation from the draft advisory board and gave an indication of which way he might be leaning.
"First round, second round, that's comfortable stuff you can't pass up," Carey told the Arizona Daily Star. "Anything after that I think you have to get your degree. There's a lot of things boiling in the pot affecting my decision."
Taking into account the pass-heavy tendencies of the modern NFL, a Day 2 grade would be the most likely result for Carey as a potential three-down back. An elusive and electric runner, Carey showed outstanding toughness by carrying the ball 48 times for 206 yards and four touchdowns in an upset win over Oregon and is a fine receiver out of the backfield.
Carey is currently in Florida as one of the three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the top running back in college football. The ceremony provided Carey his first chance to meet Andre Williams of Boston College, a Heisman Trophy finalist and Carey's top challenger for the Doak Walker award.
Carey's Wildcats and Williams' Eagles will face off in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl on Dec. 31.
Williams finished the regular season with an FBS-best 2,102 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, and Carey had 1,716 yards and 17 touchdowns. But Carey rushed for 100 yards in all 11 games he played in this season, including 138 yards against USC. The Trojans held Williams to 38 yards on 17 carries.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.