By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Underclassmen planning to begin their pro football careers next season have until Sunday to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft.

Running back Knile Davis may not be one of them, according to a Monday night report.

Michael Smith, the former Arkansas running back who now works for KTHV in Little Rock, said via Twitter his former teammate will be returning to the Razorbacks in 2012 after receiving a second- to third-round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. Davis later resent the Tweet from Smith.

Davis did not play in 2011 after suffering a fractured ankle during preseason practices. He has practiced since November and dressed out for the Cotton Bowl, but did not play in the game.

Davis said earlier in the week he would explore his options regarding the NFL Draft even though he sat out the entire season with the injury.

“I would love to come back and do what I didn’t do this year, what I think I could have,” Davis said on Jan. 1. “But at the same time, you know, a lot of different variables play a part in that and I have to take that under consideration.”

Davis was instrumental to Arkansas’ success in 2010, rushing for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore. He was voted a team captain for the 2011 season and was expected to lead a backfield that also included Dennis Johnson, Ronnie Wingo Jr. and Broderick Green.

If Davis does return, he’ll join a backfield that includes Johnson, Wingo Jr., and freshman Kody Walker. Johnson, a junior, said last week he had submitted paperwork to the NFL Draft Advisory Board to gauge his status. But Johnson — who led Arkansas in rushing with 670 yards in 2011 — also said he planned to return in 2012.

“I don’t think I’m going to go,” Johnson said Jan. 1. “I think I’m coming back.”