Baylor junior tailback Lache Seastrunk is turning pro, he said in a statement to Yahoo Sports on Monday.
Seastrunk (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) led the Bears with 1,177 yards rushing and added 11 rushing touchdowns. He began his career at Oregon before transferring to Baylor to be closer to his hometown of Temple, Texas.
"Playing in the NFL has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I'm fully prepared to take the next step toward realizing that goal," Seastrunk said in the statement. "I'm excited for the opportunity to compete in the NFL draft process."
Baylor used a three-tailback system this season, and the Bears also are losing senior Glasco Martin, who was third on the team with 509 yards.
The speedy Seastrunk (he has run sub-4.4 times in the 40-yard dash) is the first Baylor player with two 1,000-yard seasons. He battled through a groin injury this season, missing two games and being hampered in another.
Seastrunk's speed and elusiveness make him a weapon and a big-play threat, but he frequently is guilty of trying to look for the big play rather than just taking what he can get. He has good balance and can stop and start quickly, but some scouts question his vision and patience. His receiving ability is a concern (he had zero receptions this season after just nine last season), and his blocking is a question, too. In addition, his production lagged as this season progressed and Baylor played tougher foes; he had eight touchdowns in the first four games but just three the rest of the way.
Still, he might be the fastest running back in the draft.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
