Already faced with losing Jake Locker to graduation and the NFL, the Washington Huskies dodged a bullet on Tuesday when running back Chris Polk opted to return for his junior year, passing on the 2011 NFL Draft. Polk turned heads in 2010, and saw his draft stock climb on the back of another strong performance in the running game. Projected as an early-mid rounder, he still has a chance to further increase his draft stock in 2011 as the cornerstone of the Washington offense.
Polk's mother, Edrena Polk, passed along the news to the Seattle Times' Bob Condotta in an interview on Tuesday.
"Of course you are going to think about it," Edrena Polk said. "That's everyone's dream. We just want to make sure he is ready. ... We had a talk and weighed the options and prayed about it," and the decision was then made to stay for another season.
Polk finished the 2010 season with 1,415 yards and nine touchdowns, including a last-second, game-winning touchdown against Cal to keep the Huskies bowl hopes alive. It was the second 1,000 yard rushing season of his career, following his 1,113 yard performance in his redshirt freshman year.