Braylon Heard was Kentucky's second-leading rusher in 2014
Braylon Heard was Kentucky's second-leading rusher in 2014. (USATSI)

In what comes as a surprising announcement, Kentucky running back Braylon Heard has decided to skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.

“I appreciate the hard work Braylon gave to the Kentucky program,” said Kentucky coach Mark Stoops. “He has been a model student-athlete and we wish him nothing but the best.”

The reason the decision is odd is because Heard was only the second-leading rusher for the Wildcats this season. He finished the year with 368 yards and four touchdowns on 73 carries.

On the flip side, Heard is scheduled to graduate this spring, so he just might not see any point in either returning to Kentucky for another season or transferring elsewhere.