Polk returning to UW for junior season

Sportspress Northwest confirmed through a source on Wednesday that running back Chris Polk will return for his redshirt junior season.

Polk considered going to the NFL where he would be a mid-second round to early third-round pick according to Rob Rang, senior draft analyst for CBSsports.com. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Saturday.

Following a record-setting redshirt freshman year in 2009, Polk piled on the yards in his second season for the Huskies. He ran for 1,415 yards in 2010, good for second-most all-time in a single season at Washington behind Corey Dillon’s 1,695 yards in 1996.

Just two years into his Washington career, Polk is already sixth all-time on the Huskies’ rushing list with 2,528 yards. Should he hit his career average of 1,264 yards next season, Polk would move into second all-time, just behind leader Napoleon Kaufman who ran for 4,106 yards from 1991-94.

Polk’s return also assures Washington one of the Pac-10’s best running attacks next season. His plowing style is supplemented by Jesse Callier’s speed around the end and the likely return of injured backs Johri Fogerson and Deontae Cooper.

Polk made his biggest strides last season by improving elusiveness at the second level. Once through the line of scrimmage, Polk, 5-foot-11, 214 pounds, was up on his toes to evade tacklers. Washington will welcome more of the same next season.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times originally reported Polk’s return.