Mississippi State will be losing junior defensive lineman Chris Jones to the NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-6, 308-pounder recorded 44 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks this season. Pro Football Focus named Jones a second–team All-America selection.

Here’s what Jones had to say to the team’s official website, hailstate.com:

“After discussing it with my family, I will forego my senior season at Mississippi State and enter the 2016 NFL Draft,” Jones said. “The past three years in Starkville have been unforgettable, and I am proud to be a part of the legacy that we created. I want to thank my teammates and coaches, especially head coach Dan Mullen and defensive line coach David Turner, for giving me the opportunity to wear the maroon and white. As I pursue a dream of playing in the NFL, I will always be a Bulldog.”

In 16 career starts with the Bulldogs, Jones had 102 tackles, 18 of which were for loss, along with 8.5 sacks.