Pitt's James Conner To Declare For 2017 NFL Draft
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pitt running back James Conner announced Saturday afternoon that he will be declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Conner made the announcement in a post on Twitter around 1 p.m., saying he was "Forever Grateful."
In the post, he says he will play with the Panthers one more time in New York City for the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Northwestern before he declares for the 2017 NFL Draft.
He thanked his family, friends "and everyone who made this possible."
Conner announced he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in December 2015, but he had no doubt he would return to play with the Pitt Panthers again.
"I will play football again. I will be at Heinz Field again. I have the best coaches and teammates in the country. I thank God I chose Pitt because now I also have the best doctors in the country and together we will win. I know this city has my back," Conner said at the time.
He said he was cancer-free about six months later on May 23, and he played his first game back with the Panthers on Sept. 3. During his return, he caught one touchdown and ran for another, leading the Panthers to a 28-7 victory over Villanova.
Recently, Conner was a recipient of the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award and the 2016 Disney Sports Award.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter