I’ve talked to a lot of the coaches already that I’m close with and they’ve just been giving me great advice so far. So I’m just going to follow through with it. – Utah running back Devontae Booker
SALT LAKE CITY — Devontae Booker’s career with the Utah Utes could come to an end at next week’s Las Vegas Bowl. The junior, who is closing in on the team record for single-season rushing yards, may declare for the NFL draft. It’s something he’s pondering as the Utes prepare to face Colorado State on Dec. 20.
“I’m not sure yet,” Booker said. “I’m still thinking on it.”
Booker has filed paperwork with the National Football League seeking feedback if he were to forego his final season of collegiate eligibility.
“Whatever they tell me, that actually is going to have a big influence for me,” Booker said. “And whatever I get, I’ll just make my decision from there.”
The 22-year-old running back has garnered a lot of praise in his first season at Utah. Booker earned first-team all-conference recognition from the Pac-12 coaches and was also the Utes’ lone first-team all-academic honoree. The sociology major has a 3.38 grade point average.
In addition, an NFL.com report noted that a league scout compared him to Houston Texans running back Arian Foster. Another source drew a comparison to former New York Giants star Tiki Barber.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham frequently refers to Booker as the best back in the Pac-12. He finished the regular season as the conference’s second-leading rusher, averaging 112.5 yards per game. His 266 carries is tops in the league.
Despite the accolades, Booker is consulting with others about his future. At 22, he's the same age as most fifth-year seniors entering the 2015 NFL draft — and with relatively less wear-and-tear after missing the entire 2013 season while working out academic issues in junior college.
“I’ve talked to a lot of the coaches already that I’m close with and they’ve just been giving me great advice so far,” Booker said. “So I’m just going to follow through with it.”
Running backs coach Dennis Erickson is someone Booker speaks with regularly.
"I love the dude to death. We just talk about everything through life — school, on the field, off the field," Booker said. "He's a great guy."
The feeling is mutual. Erickson acknowledged he has and will continue to advise Booker about the future.
"He’s only been here a year. He has a chance to get into the weight room in the winter, which he hasn’t been able to do, get bigger and stronger and have a tremendous senior year," Erickson said. "He has a chance to be an All-American, has a chance to do a lot of things. He’s got to take advantage of that. That’s the message that I’d give him.
"If I felt that he shouldn’t (come back) I'd tell him that too because I’ve got a lot of guys at his position (in the NFL) over the years," Erickson continued. "He’ll play well and he’ll come back. I can’t speak for him. We’ve talked about it. He could have a great year next year, which enhances everything he does in his life."
Whittingham noted that every year there are a handful of guys that entertain thoughts of declaring for the draft early. He explained the process of getting an evaluation from the NFL and making a decision based on it.
Although Whittingham declined to give names, he acknowledged that there are a few players opting to test the waters this year — to see where they stand. Final decisions are made following discussions between the coach, the player and his family after the NFL evaluation is returned.
Whittingham said that it’s “pretty cut and dry.” He noted that the format has changed. The NFL has streamlined its responses to “first round,” “second round” and “stay in school.”
Even so, it still comes down to one thing.
“We want what’s best for our players,” Whittingham said. “If it comes back ‘first-round grade’ for any of our guys, then that’s hard to pass up. Then the ball’s in their court and they’ve got to make a decision.”
There are a lot of things to consider, Whittingham added, such as how close the player is to earning his degree, financial status and family needs.
Such decisions, though, won’t be made until after Utah’s bowl game, according to Whittingham.
In the meantime, players like Booker are enjoying the moment.
“I’m really excited right now to play in my very first bowl,” said Booker, who has a lot of friends who played college football tell him how fun such experiences are — complete with gifts and everything.
Booker is also determined to get something else out of the upcoming game at Sam Boyd Stadium. His 1,350 rushing yards represent the fourth-highest single-season total in team history. Booker trails only record-holder John White (1,519 yards in 2011), Carl Monroe (1,507 yards in 1982) and Dameon Hunter (1,396 yards in 2001).
“It would be a big accomplishment for me to get that milestone,” Booker said of the record. “I set that as one of my goals at the beginning of the season and I’m just that close to obtaining it.”
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Las Vegas Bowl
Colorado State (10-2) vs. No. 22 Utah (8-4)
Sam Boyd Stadium
Saturday, Dec. 20
TV: ABC
Radio: ESPN 700
Contributing: Mike Sorensen
Email: dirk@desnews.com
Twitter: @DIrkFacer