Oregon QB and Heisman Winner Marcus Mariota to Enter NFL Draft

Oregon’s star quarterback Marcus Mariota has decided to forego his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota made the official announcement this afternoon, in line with what many people were already expecting.

The University of Oregon released the following statement from Mariota:

“After meeting with my family I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility and apply for the 2015 NFL Draft. My four years at the University of Oregon have been an awesome experience. I cannot thank Coach Kelly, Coach Helfrich, Coach Frost, the rest of the Oregon coaches and the support staff enough for molding me as a person, player and student-athlete.

The support I received from the University, the city of Eugene and Duck fans has been tremendous. I will always remember the great times and support I received. Once a Duck always a Duck.

I will miss being with my teammates.  Being a part of this team was something special that I will always treasure.”

Mariota finished his stellar college career with 58 touchdowns this season, a Heisman Trophy, The Associated Press Player of the Year award, the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year award, and an appearance in the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship. He has had quite the year, to say the least! Mariota will join Florida State’s Jameis Winston as one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class. Many early mock drafts have him being selected #1 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are in dire need of a quarterback, but the upcoming months will be the most telling in determining where he will end up. Best of luck to him!