Baylor senior running back Shock Linwood's college career is apparently over with the Waco Tribune reporting this week that he will sit out the Bears' bowl game "to focus on [a] possible NFL career."
Baylor senior running back Shock Linwood has elected not to play in Cactus Bowl to focus on possible NFL career.
— John Werner (@JohnWernerTrib) December 20, 2016
Linwood was Baylor's leading rusher in 2014 and 2015, but his senior season has been less than triumphant, even while setting all-time program records for rushing yards (4,166) and rushing touchdowns (36).
The Bears lost six straight to finish the season, and Linwood fell behind Terence Williams in the rotation during the losing streak, only totaling double-digit carries once (24 carries, 110 yards in a 42-21 loss to Kansas State).
Unlike LSU's Leonard Fournette or Stanford's Christian McCaffrey, Linwood is in his final year of eligibility and has no guarantee that he is currently a top priority for pro scouts. He was also suspended during the season.
It would also be hard to blame him if the wear and tear of a lame-duck year in Baylor has taken its toll, though it leaves the Bears with very few options at running back against Boise State with Williams and JaMycal Hasty expected to see a majority of the snaps.
Baylor will face Boise State in the Cactus Bowl on Dec. 27 in Phoenix.
