Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (8) reacts to a play against the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, ESPN.com reported.
Jernigan led Florida State with 11 tackles for loss in 2013 and he was regarded as a strong run stuffer up the middle.
Jernigan is projected as a first- or second-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft and is rated as the 26th overall player and the No. 3 defensive tackle by NFLDraftScout.com.
“I feel I am the most versatile defensive lineman in the draft,” Jernigan told ESPN’s Joe Schad. “Some team will get an athletic, hard-working lineman who attacks, plays smart and doesn’t come off the field.”
Jernigan, in his first year as a full-time starter, was a key part of FSU’s defense in Monday’s BCS National Championship game, helping the Seminoles to rally in the second half for a 34-31 win.
Jernigan finished this season with 63 tackles, including 4 1/2 sacks and was a second-team AP All-America.
FSU junior running back James Wilder Jr. has also declared for the draft, while receiver Rashad Greene and offensive linemen Tre Jackson and Cameron Erving announced they would return for 2014.
(www.NFLDraftScout.com is owned by The Sports Xchange and distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com).
