The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that California running back Jahvid Best has declared that he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

“I feel like I’m ready to play in the NFL, and I feel like I can be successful,” Best said on a conference call. “This is an opportunity I can’t pass up.”

Best acknowledged he’s not yet 100 percent as he continues to recover from a severe concussion and back injury sustained Nov. 7. He expressed “no doubt” he will be ready to perform for scouts on Pro Day in Berkeley and at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, starting Feb. 24.

If Best lights up the stopwatch in the 40-yard dash – a likely scenario, given his electrifying speed – he will vault higher in the draft. Best has never run a formal, timed 40-yard dash, but he was the state 100-meter champion during his senior year at Salesian High in Richmond (in 10.31 seconds).

His speed on the football field has drawn comparisons to Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson and former Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson, now with the Philadelphia Eagles.

I would have loved to see Best come back for his senior year and challenge for the Heisman next season, but I can’t wait to see how he does in the draft. I’m not ready to pronounce him the next Chris Johnson, but I think he does have a similar skill set.

It’ll be interesting to see how he does at the combine and where he eventually winds up in the NFL.

Photo from fOTOGLIF