Joe Yearby hinted in November his Hurricanes career was drawing to a close. On Tuesday, the running back made it official.
Yearby, a junior, announced in a statement released by Miami that he was bypassing his senior year and entering the NFL draft. The announcement came a little more than five weeks after Yearby posted a picture of himself on social media and declared he'd just played in his last home game as a Hurricane after Miami's 40-21 regular-season finale win over Duke.
The former Miami Central standout hasn't spoken with reporters since, but in his statement said: "These past three years have been truly memorable and I will never forget my time here at the University of Miami, a place that has shaped me into the person I am today. Miami has been and always will be my home and I look forward to remaining a part of the South Florida community for years to come."
Though he entered fall camp in August as Miami's leading rusher after gaining 1,002 yards as a sophomore in 2015, Yearby was supplanted on the depth chart by teammate Mark Walton. By season's end, the former Miami Central star was splitting back-up carries with fellow back Gus Edwards. Yearby finished second behind Walton in yards this season with 608 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries.
Yearby finished his Miami career with 2,119 yards, a number that ranks ninth all-time in program history. Ahead of Miami's appearance in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Walton hinted that Yearby might be leaving, but he said he hoped his teammate might stay and had high praise for Yearby, a father of two young children.
"We always want things, but sometimes, guys have to do things for themselves. He chose to come out early, but I wish he'd stay again and play with us," Walton said "But sometimes, you have to do things on your own. ... He's a hell of a player. Quick, explosive, a great player."
Yearby is the third member of Miami's offense to announce his intentions to go pro in recent weeks following tight end David Njoku and quarterback Brad Kaaya, who announced his plans late Monday.
At running back, the Hurricanes will return Walton, who finished with a team-high 1,117 yards and freshman Travis Homer. Edwards, who finished third on the team with 290 yards, has reportedly been mulling a transfer, though he could stay at Miami. Trayone Gray, who missed the season with a knee injury, could be in the mix for the Hurricanes, who also have a verbal commitment from three-star Gulliver Prep standout Robert Burns.
