RALEIGH — N.C. State tailback Toney Baker has decided not to take advantage of the sixth-year eligibility granted by the NCAA and will not return for next season.
N.C. State released a statement this morning from Baker, who intends to enter this spring's NFL draft.
"After talking to my family, my coaches and doing a lot of praying, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to pursue playing football at the next level," Baker said. "It was a tough decision because I have loved my time at NC State and have really enjoyed playing for Coach O'Brien. But after weighing all my options, I think this is the right move for me at this time in my life."
Baker missed almost two full seasons with a knee injury before returning to action this season. He led the team in rushing, finishing the regular season ranked sixth in the ACC with 64.4 yards per game and ninth in all-purpose yards (94 ypg). He finished his college career ranked 11th in school history with 17 career rushing touchdowns and 11th in rushing yards with 2,045.
Baker graduated in December after receiving the ACC's 2009 Brian Piccolo Award as the league's "most courageous" player.
"We support Toney in this decision and wish him great success," State coach Tom O'Brien, said in a statement released by the university's sports information office. "He has been and will continue to be a great representative of NC State University and our football program."
Assistant sports editor Lorenzo Perez has bounced back-and-forth between The News & Observer's news and sports department several times since joining the newspaper in 1999. His latest assignment has him working with The N&O's ACC writers and online news. E-mail 
Comments
I doubt he gets drafted
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 13:20 — willncsuHe may end up with a spot on a roster though. He has just never impressed me.
Short Life Span for RBs....
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 12:30 — sclarkRBs by nature are only good until they reach 30 or so, so his clock was ticking. Best of luck Toney, and MUSTAFA GREENE..... COME ON DOWN!!! You're the next contestant on TOB is RIGHT!
TOB is RIGHT!
Wed, 01/06/2010 - 21:25 — gvillegatrI know this will catch some grief but c'mon dude. TOB has had three losing seasons out of three in the worse or 2nd worse BCS conference in football.
Good luck Toney
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 12:08 — JPDOhioThis had to be a tough decision and one that I am sure you did not make lightly.
I sincerely hope that you have a productive and injury-free NFL career.
Best of luck to Toney
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 11:49 — Heels20I'm not sure how much I agree with this decision, but I wish you the best. Hope your knee is 100% and ready to prove scouts and GMs wrong.
Baker Going pro
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 12:22 — suckitncsuSo What?
Well Wishes
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 11:45 — YAR8packGood luck with the NFL draft, Toney. Perhaps your decision to enter the draft is due to your history of injury. I hope you know that the NFL scouts will have that at the top of their check sheet.
Baker's maybe a 5th round guy. Perhaps he'll get picked up before then.
At least another scholarship will be freed up for hopefully shoring up State's craptastic defense.