AJ Finley, Ole Miss DB, reportedly decides on 2023 season

A.J. Finley is reportedly moving on to play professionally in 2023.

Finley has been with Ole Miss for 4 seasons. The NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver for the 2020 season gives him the option to return for a fifth-year “super senior” season. Finley is declining his extra year and declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft, according to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel.

Source: Ole Miss safety A.J. Finley is declaring for the NFL Draft. Finley, a fourth-year player, is a three-year starter with 34 career starts. He had 76.0 tackles and two interceptions this year and in 2021 had 91 tackles and three interceptions. pic.twitter.com/xNCDIkhJPw

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 31, 2022

Finley, from Mobile, Alabama, joined the Rebels in 2019. He played in 48 games over the past 4 seasons.

In each of the last 3 seasons, Finley has recorded multiple interceptions, finishing his college career with 8 picks. In 2020, Finley had a career-high 10 passes defended. Finley had his most productive season as a tackler in 2021 with 91 total stops. This season, he posted 3.5 tackles for loss, his best mark in 4 seasons.