BYU quarterback Zach Wilson announced Friday he will forego his final season of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft.
Wilson completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions as a junior this season. He also rushed for 254 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Cougars, who finished the season with an 11-1 record.
“To the greatest fan base in the world,” Wilson posted on his Twitter account. “Thank you for the best 3 years of my life. On our home turf, or on the road, there was no question that the Blue Wave would be fierce. BYU is a special place. I’m forever blue.
“Coach Kalani (Sitake), Thank you for believing in me. You took a chance on me when others wouldn’t.”
Wilson went on to thank several other coaches and mentors, as well as his teammates and his family members. He then announced that he would not be coming back to campus next fall.
Instead, Wilson joins the draft pool as one of the top quarterback prospects behind Trevor Lawrence of Clemson and Justin Fields of Ohio State.
“After much thought, prayer and consideration, I am excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2021 NFL draft,” he wrote. “I pray that I will always make Cougar Nation proud.”
