After arriving together and starring early as freshmen in 2005, it was fitting for University of Arkansas All-American running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones to leave early together and announce they are turning pro.

The two juniors jointly announced their long anticipated intentions at a press conference Monday, the start of the UA spring semester classes.

In prepared statements, both McFadden — a two-time Doak Walker Award winner and twotime Heisman Trophy runnerup in 2006 and 2007 — and Jones — an All-American kick returner in 2005 and 2007 — thanked the UA, retired athletics director Frank Broyles, former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, former Arkansas running backs coach Danny Nutt, running backs coach Tim Horton and the Razorback fans for their part in their three Arkansas seasons, and they wished well new coach Bobby Petrino and his staff and the teammates they leave behind.

“ You all have been very supportive of me throughout my career, ” McFadden, a Little Rock native and high school alum of Pulaski Oak Grove, said. “ When I was growing up, I dreamed of playing for the Razorbacks and playing in the state. I have had a chance to live that dream. Now it comes the time to pursue another dream of mine, playing in the NFL. After consulting my family, I feel like entering my name in the NFL draft is the right decision for me to make. I am looking forward to it and getting very excited. ”

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Following McFadden, Jones drew a laugh remarking, “ I guess that will be the last handout from D-Mac. ”

Then Jones, an alum of Booker T. Washington High in Tulsa, Okla., made it his last handout, too.

“ My decision has not been an easy one, ” Jones said. “ I have tried to balance my love for this university and state and the Razorbacks against my desire to play in the NFL. Growing up, I dreamed of playing football on Sundays. After consideration of all the factors, I am confident of my decision to forgo my senior season for the NFL draft will be the right decision. ”

Jones said he’s leaving Arkansas feeling as if he came from Arkansas.

“ As you know, I am from Tulsa, Okla., ” Jones said. “ But there is no doubt I am a Razorback. I will cheer on the Hogs, and I wish Coach Petrino the best of luck and the new coaching staff and my teammates. You all have got Razorback blood in us. ”

Though the two both split time as tailbacks and shared time with McFadden playing quarterback in the WildHog formation while Jones went towards him in motion as a running back or Jones flanked at receiver, neither ever complained of the other cramping his style. In fact, both said Monday, if not for the other, neither maybe would have been ready to turn pro at this stage.

“ With a guy like Felix coming in and taking up the slack, it made it harder for the defense, ” McFadden said. “ Without him, some of these things would not have been possible, and I might have been looking to come back for my senior year. ”

Jones responded, “ The same for me. Darren took a lot of pressure off me and the other teammates. He did a lot for his team. He really did help me out. ”

Both said they felt compelled jointly to announce their decisions.

“ I felt like we were like brothers, ” McFadden said. “ We’ve grown so close, and it was important we do this together. ”

Neither have signed yet with an agent, but both said they do intend to move to Dallas to start training for the NFL Combine.

“ Darren’s a competitive person, and that’s what you need to get better, ” Jones said. “ I feel like if we worked out together, we can accomplish a lot. ”

Both were asked if the torn knee ligaments senior receiver Marcus Monk suffered in preseason drills after pondering NFL options last year affected their decision to turn pro now.

“ Yeah, ” Jones said. “ Anything can happen, you know. We have a good opportunity right now. I feel like it’s the best one to make. ”

McFadden said, “ Football is a highrisk injury sport, so you look at what’s best for your future and your family’s future. ”

Both said they intend to eventually complete their college degrees, but obviously that’s not an immediate priority.

“ I feel like, when I get done playing with my NFL career, I can always come back to school and pursue my degree still, ” McFadden said.

Jones agreed.

“ I feel the same way, ” he said. “ The school is going to be here. We just wanted to take advantage of what we have now. We’ll come back and finish school and get our degrees. ”

McFadden and Jones finish their careers as Arkansas’ best-ever tandem running backs. Including a Razorback record 1, 830 yards on 325 carries and 16 touchdowns for 2007, McFadden finishes as Arkansas’ all-time leading rusher. He netted 4, 590 yards and 41 touchdowns on 785 carries plus completed 14 of 22 passes for 205 yards with 7 TDs vs. a lone interception and caught 46 passes for 365 yards and 2 TDs and returned 38 kickoffs for 926 yards with a touchdown.

Jones, averaging 8. 7 yards per carry in 2007 with 1, 162 yards and 11 touchdowns on 133 carries, posted career rushing stats of 386 carries for 2, 956 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had a career kick return average of 28. 2 yards with 1, 749 yards, including 4 touchdowns on 62 returns. He also caught 39 career passes for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns.