Nick Bolton has played his final game for Missouri. Now, he’ll begin preparing for the next stage of his career.

On Monday, Bolton announced on Twitter that he has decided to not play for the Tigers in the Music City Bowl against Iowa. He also will forego his senior season and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Over the past three seasons, Bolton has played 35 games for Mizzou. He didn’t contribute much as a freshman in 2018 (recording 22 tackles in 13 games). Then, in 2019, he put up big numbers, compiling 107 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 13 games and earning first-team All-SEC honors.

In 10 games this season, Bolton had 95 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. He also helped the Tigers go 5-5 in their first season under head coach Eli Drinkwitz.

A 6-foot, 232-pound linebacker from Frisco, Texas, Bolton was a 3-star recruit out of Lone Star High School when he joined Missouri as part of its 2018 recruiting class.

Bolton shared a heartfelt statement thanking his former and current coaches and his family as he made his decision: