Duke Johnson, the University of Miami's (UM) junior running back, is declaring for the 2015 NFL Draft.

He made his announcement official with a statement on the UM athletic department's official website on Sunday. At a school known for sending talented running backs to the NFL, Johnson is the Hurricanes' all-time leading rusher.

"I think looking at the list and the guys I've passed is an accomplishment in and of itself," Johnson said in the statement. "I'm very grateful to have [had] an opportunity to return kicks, catch the ball out of the backfield and run the ball where I can get up above all these great UM players who came before me."

Johnson easily had the best season of his college career as a junior, returning from an ankle injury, as he took 218 carries for 1,520 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He increased each of those totals from a season ago, as well as his average yards per carry. He also developed as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 33 passes for 370 yards and three scores.

"The biggest thing with me is leaving something with my young guys, leaving something with my running backs - Joseph Yearby, Gus Edwards, Trayone Gray and Walter Tucker - to where they can see what it takes and what needs to be done to be great," Johnson said. "Of course there was back and forth. As a kid, I always wanted to come here. I loved it. I didn't want to leave it.

"At the same time, like I mentioned before, the life for running backs [in the NFL] isn't that high. I think it's best to get out when I can."

Johnson also said in his announcement that he will stay at UM this spring to try and complete his degree.

Evaluators at ESPN love his on-field production at UM, as well as his competitive drive and personality, but are wary of the ankle injury. Johnson may not be a first-round draft pick, as players like Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley figure to be taken ahead of him.