Temple to enter NFL Draft
In a not-so-shocking turn of events, Missouri running back Tony Temple will not be back for another year with the Tigers. Instead, Temple will enter the NFL Draft.
Temple confirmed that he has been invited to participate in the NFL Combine beginning Feb. 20.
Missouri was in the midst of an appeal with the NCAA to gain a medical hardship for Temple, who played just one game his freshman season. However, the initial appeal had been turned down by the Big 12, and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said he wasn’t optimistic about the NCAA granting Temple another year.
“It’s time to move on and focus on doing what I need to do to make a positive impression for the next level,” Temple said in a statement. “I feel good about looking into the extra year. It was worth a shot, but I don’t want anyone spending any more time on it, and I feel I’m ready to take the next step. Coach Pinkel and I decided before last season that we should approach the 2007 season like it was going to be my last, and I’m glad we did it that way.”
Honestly, this isn’t a surprise. Temple finished his senior season on a record-breaking note with 281 yards in the Cotton Bowl. It’s hard to top that.
Temple rushed for 1,039 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games this season. After a 1,063-yard campaign in 2006, Temple became the first Missouri running back to ever post multiple 1,000-yard seasons. He ends his career with 2,552 rushing yards, which ranks him sixth all-time at Mizzou.
“I think this is the right decision for Tony, if he is going to get ready for the NFL then it’s time,” Pinkel said. “This way, he can focus on his degree and doing whatever it takes to get ready for a professional career, and we’ll certainly do everything we can to assist.”
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