KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Tennessee's leading rusher, Arian Foster, will return to the Vols for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft.

``This was a tough decision for me and my family and everyone who was involved with it,'' Foster said at a news conference Tuesday. ``I feel like one more year of polishing myself, I will be ready for the next level.''

Foster led the Vols with 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2007. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and 85.2 rushing yards per game. He also caught 39 passes for 340 yards.

He was rated a second-round prospect by the NFL draft advisory board. Foster believes he could be a first-round pick after another year in college.

Foster needs 685 yards to pass Travis Henry (1997-2000) as the school's career rushing leader. Henry has 3,078 yards.

Last week, junior linebacker Jerod Mayo declared his intention to forgo his final season and enter the NFL draft. Three other players - offensive linemen Anthony Parker and Ramon Foster and punter Britton Colquitt - also said they are coming back for their senior years.