Peyton Barber's surprising year took another unexpected turn Monday.



The running back declared for the NFL Draft, barely beating the league's deadline for underclassmen.

Barber released a statement to AL.com:

"I have decided to forego my eligibility at Auburn and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. This was a very tough decision for many reasons but after my family and I prayed about it, I know I am ready for the next step and that this is the best decision for me. Auburn is a special place and having the opportunity to play football at Auburn has been a dream come true. I am close to graduating, so I will continue to work towards my degree even as I pursue my dream to play in the NFL. I would like to thank all of my coaches and all of the support staff at Auburn, especially Coach (Gus) Malzahn, Coach (Rhett) Lashlee and Coach (Tim) Horton. Thank you to all of my teammates as well. Lastly, thank you to the best fans in the world! I will always be an Auburn Tiger. War Eagle!"

The Auburn fan favorite stepped up in his redshirt sophomore season to run for 1,017 yards, including five games of 100-plus yards, to become the eighth Auburn player in the last seven seasons to eclipse 1,000 yards on the ground -- an SEC record. He started the season as the Tigers' third-team tailback.



Barber averaged 4.3 yards per carry, scored 13 touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 112 yards.



Injuries to Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson forced him to the forefront in the 2015 season and he didn't disappoint, even if the Tigers' offense was not as explosive early in the season in a near-loss to FCS foe Jacksonville State. Still, it was Barber who made the big plays to make sure Auburn avoided an embarassing loss in overtime. He caught a pass on third-and-9 to keep Auburn alive in the extra period and he scored the game-winning touchdown.



"It's all about heart," Barber said in December. "It's something I've been praying for and that's pretty much when the biggest moment is. That's when leaders step up, in big-time situations."

Barber proves to be a cut above -- again



Former Auburn running back Tre Mason called Barber the best tailback on the team in January 2014, when Barber was a scrappy runner on the scout team.



"Getting 1,000 (yards) would help it out a little bit," Barber said of living up to Mason's expectations in December. "There's still a lot more that I have to improve on and that I can show people I wasn't able to show people this year."



Barber eclipsed 1,000 yards with a 5-yard run in the third quarter of Auburn's 31-10 victory against Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 30.



"It feels good," said Barber, who said he was more concerned with getting the win. "It's definitely a blessing."



Barber entered the season as the third tailback on the depth chart, but finished atop Auburn's rushing charts, even after sharing time with Robinson in the last third of the season.

Barber started nine games, including the final four, but Robinson received the bulk of the carries in the final three games: 56 carries for 276 yards and two touchdowns, including an MVP performance (126 yards, one touchdown) in the Birmingham Bowl.

Barber finished with 41 yards on 12 carries in the bowl game.

"There's not a kid who would deserve and you would want it to happen for more than him," said Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said in November. "We've got some other really good kids, but Peyton's such a hard worker. He doesn't complain, he's quiet, he just goes about his business and he's been that guy this year when a lot of times when we needed someone to step up he's done it."

Barber battled dyslexia and ADHD throughout his college career and often obsessed over mistakes he made in practice. He contemplated leaving the program before the 2015 season, but stuck with the Tigers and stepped up for an unexpected 1,000-yard performance.



More than 100 underclassmen have declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, which is a record. Barber is the 13th underclassman at his position, including five SEC tailbacks, to declare for the draft.

Barber is the third offensive player from Auburn to declare for the NFL Draft. Offensive tackles Shon Coleman and Avery Young declared earlier this month.

Auburn's 1,000 yard rushers since 2009

2015: Peyton Barber - 1,017 yards, 13 TDs

2014: Cameron Artis-Payne -- 1,608 yards, 13 TDs

2013: Tre Mason -- 1,835 yards, 23 TDs

2013: Nick Marshall -- 1,068 yards, 12 TDs

2012: Tre Mason -- 1,002 yards, 8 TDs

2011: Mike Dyer -- 1,242 yards, 10 TDs

2010: Cam Newton -- 1,473 yards, 20 TDs

2010: Mike Dyer -- 1,093 yards, 5 TDs

2009: Ben Tate -- 1,362 yards, 10 TDs