Boise State running back Jay Ajayi announced Sunday that he's going to skip his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL draft.

The junior ranks fourth in the nation with 1,689 rushing yards and is second nationally only to Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon with 25 rushing touchdowns.

"What I appreciate about him the most is he never once had a conversation with me about this until we were done and won the [Mountain West Conference] championship," Boise State coach Bryan Harsin told ESPN.com. "I knew it was coming. And so did he because of the type of season he's had. There's no doubt in my mind he's a professional running back."

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper rates Ajayi as the No. 10 running back, but first among non-Power 5 running backs. He received multiple All-America second- and third-team honors, including second-team by The Sporting News and third-team by the Associated Press.

He's also caught 45 balls for 536 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 2,225 yards and 29 total touchdowns on the year.

"There's not many guys I've been around or that I've seen that can pass protect like him," Harsin said. "Good running backs run. But if you're really going to show your overall skill -- you've seen the yards he's got receiving -- but if you watch him in protection, that guy has been a stud. And I think when teams look at the film, that will add to his value."

Boise State (11-2) will face Arizona (10-3) on Dec. 31 in the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl.