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Le'Veon Bell to declare for 2013 NFL Draft

The workhorse junior running back will leave East Lansing a year early, and is expected to be a second or third round pick.

By Peter Berkes
Gregory Shamus

Michigan St. Spartans running back Le'Veon Bell will enter the 2013 NFL Draft, according to Bell's mentor, Donis Toler Jr. The junior informed Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio of his decision on Wednesday night, and has already hired an agent.

Bell led the nation this past season with a staggering 382 rushing attempts, and piled up 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Spartans. He effectively was their entire offense, as new quarterback Andrew Maxwell struggled to get the passing game going. Bell will finish his career at Michigan State at sixth in school history with 33 touchdowns, and seventh with 3,346 rushing yards.

Many had assumed that Bell would turn pro after this past season, as running backs have a notoriously short shelf life in the NFL. The NFL Draft Advisory Board reportedly told Bell he was rated as a second/third round selection, and that was good enough to get him to leave East Lansing a year early.

The 2013 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, Apr. 25.