South Carolina defensive end J.J. Enagbare has elected to skip the Gamecocks' bowl game and will begin preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft, he announced Wednesday morning.
Here's his full message:
"First, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the ability to play the game of football while completing my undergraduate degree. I would like to thank my family and friends, who have not only supported me throughout my journey, but made many sacrifices. I am forever grateful to have them as my backbone.
I'm thankful to coach Muschamp and his staff for recruiting me, believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at South Carolina. I am also grateful for the opportunity to play under coach Beamer and the new staff. To all of the coaches, trainers and support staff who encouraged me and pushed me throughout the years, I thank you.
To my teammates, the brotherhood we have is truly special. Over the years we became family. Thanks for the memories and being a part of my journey.
Gamecock nation, thank you for supporting me every season and proving why South Carolina will always be my second home. It was an honor to play in front of the best and most passionate fan base in the nation.
What that, my time at South Carolina has come to an end and I am declaring for the 2022 NFL draft. Forever to thee."
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound pass-rusher is considered the highest-rated eligible NFL prospect on the South Carolina roster with some early mock drafts projecting Enagbare to go in the first round.
While he didn't explicitly say he will not play in the team's bowl game, he did mention his collegiate career "has come to an end."
A preseason All-SEC selection, Enagbare had 43 tackles, including 7.0 tackles-for-loss this year and 4.5 sacks, though those numbers don't completely tell the story of his season.
The Atlanta, Ga. native is tied for fourth in the country among EDGE players with a pass-rush grade of 92.5, according to PFF. Enagbare has accumulated a total of 24 pressures this season, including 16 QB hurries, PFF says.
Under the tutelage of South Carolina defensive ends and outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson, Enagbare has racked up 120 tackles, including 24 TFLs and 15 sacks in his career.
A graduate of Hapeville Charter in Atlanta, Enagbare signed with the Gamecocks as a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class.
The Gamecocks are set to take on North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 30.
The game, scheduled for Bank of America Stadium (74,867) in Charlotte, N.C., will kick off at 11:30 am ET and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
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