Michigan State RB Baker Tells AP He's Entering NFL
LARRY LAGE,AP Sports Writer
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan State lost running back Edwin Baker and retained its defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi on Friday.
Baker told The Associated Press he's skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
"I just feel I'm ready," he said in a telephone interview.
Baker said he told Spartans coach Mark Dantonio of his decision Friday, a day after defensive tackle Jerel Worthy declared himself eligible for the draft.
"He wants me back and said he'd love to have me back," Baker said. "But it's my decision."
The AP left a message with Dantonio seeking comment on Baker's move.
Baker ran for 665 yards and five touchdowns last season, sharing carries with Le'Veon Bell.
The 5-foot-9, 210-pound Baker had 1,201 yards rushing and 13 TDs as a sophomore, earning All-Big Ten honors.
"I'm healthy now and I don't want to get injured my senior year," he said. "And, I could come back and have a worse year."
Michigan State announced Narduzzi had decided to stay after Texas A&M tried to lure him away with a lucrative offer.
"With the success we've had as a football program, especially the last two years, people around the country have taken notice," Narduzzi said in a statement issued by the school. "So when provided a professional opportunity like Texas A&M, I owed it to my family to investigate it because my first obligation is to take care of my wife and children.
"The bottom line remains; however, that I'm very comfortable working for Mark Dantonio and Michigan State."
A little more than a year ago, Miami (Ohio) hired Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell.
"With back-to-back 11-win seasons, a bowl victory over Georgia and a coaching staff that remains intact, we have a lot of momentum as we head down the stretch toward signing day," Dantonio said in a statement.
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