Kamara confirmed to 247Sports he will declare for the NFL Draft.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- No preliminary paperwork meant nothing of substance as it pertained to star Tennessee tailback Alvin Kamara’s future.

On the heels of Friday’s Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, the Vols’ star running back confirmed he has opted to enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Sources extremely close to Kamara confirmed the decision to 247Sports' Rusty Mansell. Later, sources connected to multiple agencies confirmed the news to GoVols247.

Remarkably productive through just two seasons in orange and white, and a starter in only eight of his 24 career games as a Vol, Kamara amassed more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage, was a dynamic threat in the punt return game and closed his career with an average of a touchdown per game.

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The 5-foot-10, 215-pounder was deemed this week to be capable of being a “a day-one starter and three-down back” per a professional versed in this year’s NFL Draft evaluations but forbidden from speaking on the record.

Kamara’s stock soared midseason after his scintillating performance at Texas A&M -- 312 total yards and three touchdowns in a 45-38 overtime loss -- and was bolstered further when he battled back from knee injury to return to the Tennessee lineup in the season’s closing stretch.

Additionally, Kamara’s stock has been boosted of late as stars of rival Georgia, including tailback Nick Chubb, declared their intention to return to school in 2017. Likewise, Kamara’s stock elevated as Jalen Hurd’s plummeted once Hurd quit the Vols’ team midseason.

The official deadline for underclassmen to declare has been set as Jan. 16, 2017.