Rutgers' Rice to enter draft

Jan 8, 2008 - 9:29 PM PISCATAWAY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Ray Rice's record-breaking performance against Ball State in the International Bowl turned out to be his final game at Rutgers.

Rice announced Tuesday he will forego his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

Rice is the first Rutgers' player during Greg Schiano's tenure as coach to leave early for the draft. In his three seasons, the Scarlet Knights won 26 games and played in three bowl games.

In his last game, Rice rushed for a school-record 280 yards and four touchdowns - one of them 90 yards - in a 52-30 victory over Ball State.

"I have always dreamed of playing in the NFL and I felt the time is right to pursue the opportunity to play at the next level," he said. "Playing three years at Rutgers has been the experience of a lifetime."

In just 38 games, Rice rushed for 4,926 yards and 49 touchdowns, both school records. He leaves Rutgers as the Big East Conference's second all-time leading rusher.

"I am very happy for Ray and his family," Schiano said. "He has been one of the elite players in college football during his career at Rutgers."

Rice finished his junior year with 2,012 yards, setting a Big East single-season record. He also led the Big East in rushing as a sophomore with 1,794 yards.

Last season, Rice helped Rutgers (11-2) record the best year in school history and win its first bowl game.

"Although we will miss him greatly, we all look forward to watching him play on Sunday," Schiano said.