Raleigh, NC (My Sportsbook) - North Carolina State tailback T.A. McLendon has decided to skip his senior season and instead enter the NFL draft.

McLendon, the 2002 ACC rookie of the year after a stellar freshman season, has been riddled with injuries throughout his collegiate career, but the lure of making millions enticed him to turn pro.

"I have enjoyed my time at N.C. State and have a great relationship with Coach [Chuck] Amato and the other coaches," McLendon said. "But I have a family to take care of and I've decided that it is time for me to start thinking about my future."

McLendon rushed for 33 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Wolfpack, the third-best mark in school history. He finishes his career eighth on N.C. State's all-time rushing list with 2,479 yards, but almost half of them came in his first year.

He rushed for 1,101 yards as a freshman after setting several national records as a high school senior in Albemarle, N.C.

After sitting out one game as a freshman due to injury, McLendon missed four more as a sophomore while hamstring and shoulder problems slowed him down this year.

McLendon was benched in what turned out to be his final game at N.C. State (6-7) because of an early fumble. He finished his junior campaign with 770 yards and six touchdowns on 167 carries in 10 games.

"We certainly wish T.A. the best," said Amato, who will not be coaching in a bowl game for the first time in his five years at the helm. "He is a very talented player and we hope he has great success."

The 5-foot-11, 216-pound tailback has fractured his wrist, separated his shoulder, torn his meniscus, strained his patella tendon and hamstring in addition to having problems with his groin.