Orlando, FL -- (Sports Network) - University of Central Florida junior running back Kevin Smith announced on Tuesday his intention to remain in school for his senior season.

"I had some time to go home and do some thinking with the advice of coach (George) O'Leary and sat down with my mom and family members, I did a little investigating," Smith said in a press conference. "I came to a decision that I want to get out of the way, and my decision is that I will be returning to UCF next semester and next football season."

Smith leads the country with 2,448 yards and has scored 30 touchdowns for the Knights, just 180 yards from the current FBS single-season record set by Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State. The Miami native has a chance to break the record when Central Florida takes on Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl on December 29.

Smith was UCF's first consensus All-American and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting. He would have had until January 15 to declare his intention to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.