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Colorado St. Rams breakout running back Kapri Bibbs declared for the NFL Draft a few days ago, and giving up his final two years of college eligibility. Second-year head coach Jim McElwain was not shocked by the decision of his starting running back taking off for the NFL:
"No, I wasn't (surprised); we had talked prior to the bowl game about some of the possibilities," McElwain said.
"I support any of our guys and will help them in any way, shape or form. It's a decision that, in today's age, a lot of guys have to wrestle with."
With Bibbs not on the radar of any NFL team, McElwain is doing what he can to help Bibbs get the contacts needed to help him get drafted as high as possible. Plus, it is not as if McElwain would publicly disapprove in one of his players leaving early. Assuming Bibbs gets drafted it will only help the profile of Colorado State in recruiting since they can boast that they can get players to the NFL.
Bibbs only played one year of FBS football and that was due to him not qualifying academically out of high school, so he played on year of junior college football at Snow College and then took classes at Front Range Community College before enrolling at Colorado State.
His stats speak for himself where Bibbs rushed for 1,741 yards and 31 touchdowns, and his 30 rushing scores placed him in elite company as being just the third FBS player to ever reach 30 rushing touchdowns joining Barry Sanders and Montee Ball; Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds became the fourth to reach 30 rushing touchdowns in his bowl game.
Despite only one-year of playing major college football, and just over half the season as a starting running back, Bibbs feels that he made the right call going pro:
"It's getting better and better every day. Just the reassurance that I made the right decision, I'm getting more and more confident every day," Bibbs said.
"That made me feel real good, especially with their approval. I know a lot of teammates want me to come back, but they said they felt that I made the right decision for myself, and they're backing me up 100 percent of the way, and that's what real teammates do, and it's why I love those guys."
There are plenty of chances for Bibbs to impress NFL scouts with a possible invite to the NFL Combine, pre draft interviews and workouts.
