ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- University of Central Florida junior running back Kevin Smith, the nation's rushing leader, said Tuesday he plans to remain in school for his senior season.
"I had some time to go home and do some thinking with the advice of Coach (George) O'Leary, and sat down with my mom and family members. I did a little investigating," Smith said in a press conference. "I came to a decision that I will be returning to UCF next semester and next football season."
Smith leads the country with 2,448 yards and has scored 30 touchdowns for the Knights, just 180 yards from the current single-season record set by Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State.
Central Florida plays Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl Dec. 29.
Smith was UCF's first consensus All-America pick and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. He would have had until Jan. 15 to declare his intention to enter the NFL draft.
