Skokie, IL -- (Sports Network) - Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall will forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.

Mendenhall made the announcement in his hometown at Niles West High School, the high school he attended before joining the Illini.

In his first year as a starter last season, the 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pound Mendenhall set single-season school records for rushing yards (1,681), all- purpose yards (1,999), scoring (114), 100-yard rushing games (eight), touchdowns (19) and rushing touchdowns (17).

Mendenhall punctuated his spectacular season with a 155-yard rushing day in the Illini's 49-17 loss to Southern California in the Rose Bowl.