Utah running back Devontae Booker will miss the remainder of the 2015 season after tearing his meniscus against the Arizona Wildcats in a double-overtime loss, according to ESPN's David Lombardi.
Booker's father, Ronnie, confirmed the injury and said that his son would undergo surgery on Thursday after suffering a "slight" tear in his left knee, according to Lombardi. "We were hoping that he may be able to play in the Senior Bowl, which is on Jan. 24," said Ronnie Booker, via ESPN. The Utes running back ranks third in the Pac-12 in rushing yards with 1,261 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Booker is reportedly considered one of the best running backs in the 2016 NFL Draft class, if not the best. Booker was averaging 4.7 yards per carry this season and was a dual threat out of the backfield. The Utes senior running back caught 37 passes this season for 318 yards. Although running backs can be found in later rounds in the NFL Draft, Booker may be a risk some NFL franchises are willing to reach for.
Utah has dropped in the College Football Playoff poll by three spots this week and are a long shot to make the College Football Playoff sitting at the 13th spot. Utah faces UCLA this Saturday and will look for junior running back Joe Williams to carry the load. Williams rushed for 37 yards on seven carries last week, and he will need to prove himself as a viable option against the Bruins.
The Utes sit atop the South division of the Pac-12, but they will likely need to win out to contend for a Pac-12 title game. It will be a difficult challenge for Utah to win the Pac-12 without Booker, and quarterback Travis Wilson will have to play mistake free football for that to happen.
