TJ Yeldon Declares for 2015 NFL Draft: Latest Details and Reaction

After three spectacular seasons at Alabama, junior running back T.J. Yeldon has decided to declare for the 2015 NFL draft. He announced his decision Friday, via Alabama's official Twitter feed:

The 21-year-old star has three campaigns of over 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns with the Crimson Tide on his resume. With very little left to prove at the collegiate level, few can blame Yeldon for making the jump.

Although he will be in a stacked class that includes Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Georgia's Todd Gurley, it is difficult to argue with Yeldon's production and skill set.

According to SportsCenter on Twitter, he is in elite company when it comes to statistical output among Alabama running backs:

Both Mark Ingram and Shaun Alexander have had success in the NFL, along with a long list of other Crimson Tide running backs, including Green Bay Packers star Eddie Lacy.

Per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread, at least one scout believes Yeldon can be a better NFL player than Lacy: "Different type than (Eddie) Lacy, but he could be (better)," the scout said. "He runs hard like Eddie. He has more speed than Eddie."

Perhaps that is one reason why Yeldon decided to declare. At 6'2" and 221 pounds with excellent speed, it isn't tough to envision the Daphne, Alabama native being selected in the second round at the very worst.

Alabama was a star-studded team on both sides of the ball this season, but it can be argued that Yeldon was as vital to the team's success as anyone.

Among those who seem to agree with that assessment is head coach Nick Saban, according to Chase Horn of WHNT News19:

While Yeldon's numbers don't necessarily jump off the page when compared to some of his peers, that is because Bama likes to utilize multiple running backs. Sophomore Derrick Henry cut into his production, and there is little doubt that the same would have happened next year had he opted to return.

As he stands currently, Yeldon has done plenty and has shown NFL teams enough for them to know that he could be a starter at the next level.

Yeldon had a spectacular career at Alabama and often had to deal with excellent defenses in the SEC. He is battle tested to say the least, and it will be interesting to see how NFL franchises value his accomplishments come April.

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