Illinois junior running back Rashard Mendenhall will enter the NFL draft, a source close to him told the Chicago Tribune on Saturday.

Mendenhall, the Big Ten Player of the Year, had a strong showing in the Rose Bowl, where he gained 155 yards rushing and added 59 receiving yards in the Fighting Illini's loss to USC.

In 2007, Mendenhall rushed 262 times for 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns.

"We all know he's a first-round talent," Illinois coach Ron Zook told the Tribune.

The Tribune also reported that his mother, Sibyl, said a news conference was planned for Thursday.

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