ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eyewitness Sports has learned University of Central Florida running back Kevin Smith has changed his mind and will enter the upcoming NFL draft.

Smith, who nearly broke college football's single season rushing record this past season, had originally said he would return to UCF for his senior season. However, Sunday night, he told Channel 9 he had changed his mind.

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VIDEO: Kevin Smith Talks To Channel 9's Jenny Dunn

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Smith said, "I sat down with my mom after the Liberty Bowl game and we decided it was the best thing to do."

Coach George O'Leary broke the news to Smith's teammates at a mandatory team meeting Sunday night. Smith was not at the meeting. He is in Miami training.

Smith and the Knights won the Conference USA championship and played Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. The Knights struggled offensively in the bowl game and lost.

A source within the UCF football program has told Eyewitness Sports that junior cornerback Joe Burnett has also decided to leave school early. Burnett attended Eustis High School.

Watch Eyewitness News at 10 on TV27 and Eyewitness News at 11 on WFTV Channel 9 for more on this story.