Tennessee’s best cover cornerback won’t be returning to Rocky Top in 2021, as Bryce Thompson has just declared for the upcoming NFL draft.

The junior defensive back announced his decision to forego his senior season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft on Tuesday morning.

In his three seasons in Knoxville, Thompson appeared in 31 games for Tennessee. He registering 100 tackles, eight interceptions, one pick six, two forced fumbles and eight passes defended during his time with the Volunteers.

He arrived in Knoxville as a member of Jeremy Pruitt’s first signing class at Tennessee and after a standout career as a receiver at Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, South Carolina, developed into the most consistent cornerback for the Vols over the last three seasons.

Thompson was named to the FWAA Freshman All-American team in 2018 and twice won SEC Defensive Player of the Week during his career with the Volunteers.

Here is the official announcement from Thompson, which he shared on his Instagram account: