Stanford Cardinal RB Christian McCaffrey declares for 2017 NFL Draft

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey will skip his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.

McCaffrey hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ed McCaffrey, who spent 13 years in the NFL and was a Pro Bowl wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion.

"After three incredible years at Stanford, I've decided to enter the 2017 NFL draft.

#BlessedByTheBest," McCaffrey wrote on Twitter in officially making the announcement Wednesday.

The 6-foot, 202-pound McCaffrey is ranked 21st overall, third at his position and projected as a first-round pick by NFLDraftScout.com. LSU's Leonard Fournette and Florida State's Dalvin Cook are ranked ahead of McCaffrey at his position.

McCaffrey rushed for 1,603 yards and 13 touchdowns on 253 carries as a junior, along with 37 catches for 310 yards and three scores. He finished his three years at Stanford with 3,922 rushing yards, 1,206 receiving yards, 1,859 return yards and 33 career touchdowns.

"Since I was 6 years old, I've wanted to play in the NFL," McCaffrey said on GoStanford.com. "It's been on every list of goals that I've ever written. Now, it's time to take that step. There's nothing more I can put on film.

"I love Stanford more than anything. It will be extremely hard to leave. I feel humbled and inspired every day by the peers who surround me. I came to Stanford because I wanted to be challenged more than I ever have in my life. And that desire is shared by everyone who walks on this campus, by people who literally will change the world. ... As I walked off for the last time as a Stanford player, I realized how much I owe this university for how much it's given me. Stanford has taught me more about overcoming adversity and focusing and finishing than I could ever know, and I will carry those lessons forever."