Lions’ Barkley declares for draft

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is entering the NFL draft.

Barkley announced his decision to skip his senior year Sunday on Instagram, a day after helping Penn State beat Washington in the Fiesta Bowl.

Barkley finally made the announcement after saying he was undecided about his plans leading into and following the team’s 35-28 win Saturday.

“I would like to start off by saying thank you so much for all of the memories that you have helped me create over the last three years, whether it be on the football field, in the school, or in the community,” his statement read. “I am forever grateful to you for making my time here so enjoyable.”

Barkley ran for 1,271 yards and 18 touchdowns this season and had 52 catches for 642 yards. He also completed two passes — one for a score — and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

On Saturday in Glendale, Ariz., he ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns and caught seven passes for 38 yards for the No. 9 Nittany Lions.

Experts have projected him as a possible top-five pick and likely the first running back to be taken.

LSU

Former Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who left after the 2016 season for the same position at LSU, could be moving on again.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reported that he could leave because of philosophical differences with coach Ed Orgeron. How much of an impact that might have had with Citrus Bowl preparations remains to be seen; Canada did not address his future during a new conference Friday.

No. 14 Notre Dame and No. 16 LSU play Monday in Orlando. Both teams are ranked in the top 30 nationally in rushing offense. LSU’s rushing attack is led by a pair of physical backs in Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams; both combined for seven 100-yard games. Guice, who has posted 1,000-yard seasons the last two years, was the MVP of last year’s Citrus Bowl game, with 138 yards and a touchdown in the win over Louisville.

Miami

Linebacker Jamie Gordinier posted on Twitter that he was ending his injuryplagued football career. Gordinier tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee after recording one tackle in the 2016 season opener. He had been doing well, and was practicing at more than one linebacker spot. Then, this past August he had another setback, tearing the ACL in his right knee.

North Carolina

Junior linebacker Andre Smith is entering the NFL draft. The school announced Smith’s decision Sunday. The Jacksonville, Fla., native made 14 starts at middle linebacker before a season-ending injury in September against Louisville.

Stanford

David Shaw won the Dodd Trophy as coach of the year. No. 15 Stanford finished 9-5 with a 37-35 Alamo Bowl loss to No. 13 TCU Thursday night. Stanford beat Notre Dame and Washington when each team was ranked in the top 10. The award honors scholarship, leadership and integrity, as well as success on the field.