Maryland RB Javon Leake declares for 2020 NFL Draft

Maryland running back Javon Leake declared for the 2020 NFL Draft Wednesday, deciding to forgo his senior season.

“Continuing my football career to the NFL has been a lifelong dream of mine. I am proud to say I will in fact fulfill this dream,” the junior wrote in a Twitter post. “Thank you Terp Nation, you all mean the world to me. Now, it’s time for me to begin a new chapter!”

Leake’s decision comes a day after fellow running back Anthony McFarland Jr. announced his intention to enter the draft.

The junior was one of the few bright spots for the Terps this season. Leake earned Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year honors Tuesday after leading the conference with 804 kickoff return yards on 26.8 yards per return. He also tied former Terp Torrey Smith’s program record of three career kickoff return touchdowns.

Leake also led the team in the run game with 736 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2019. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry, which ranks seventh-best in the country. And in the passing game, Leake hauled in nine receptions for 55 yards.

With both Leake and McFarland leaving, Maryland’s running back room is left extremely thin for 2020. Jake Funk and Lorenzo Harrison III are both recovering from season-ending knee injuries, and Tayon Fleet-Davis’ future is uncertain after being charged with a DUI in November.

Head coach Mike Locksley has two commits at the position in three-stars Peny Boone and Ebony Jackson.