Texas A&M senior center Ryan McCollum announced Wednesday via Twitter that he will enter the NFL draft instead of returning to school for an extra season.
“I am excited to announce that I am officially declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft,” McCollum tweeted, also thanking coaches and the fans. “I appreciate your continued support.”
McCollum is the second of four seniors on the offensive line to announce his intentions for next season. Senior tackle Dan Moore Jr. declared for the NFL draft Tuesday, with guard Jared Hocker and tackle Carson Green yet to announce.
Seniors who played in 2020 can return to their college teams next season thanks to an NCAA ruling that does not count the recent fall sports season against eligibility.
McCollum has been in school five years, having redshirted in 2016. In addition, he graduated in December and is married.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound McCollum was projected to be the starting center for the 2019 season after making seven starts at guard as a sophomore. But McCollum had a lingering back injury that limited him to spot duty in eight games last season as Colton Prater replaced Erik McCoy in the starting lineup after McCoy left after his junior season for the NFL.
McCollum was fully healthy this season, starting all 10 games. He joined the other four returning offensive line starters to form one of the country’s best units, which was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award that goes to the nation’s best offensive line. A&M ranked third in the nation in time of possession and also ranked third in third-down conversions. A&M ranked fifth in sacks allowed at only 0.7 per game.
McCollum appeared in 43 games in his Aggie career, making 23 starts. True freshman Smart Chibuzo was listed on A&M’s depth chart as McCollum’s backup, but when McCollum was injured and had to miss a play in Saturday’s 41-27 Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina, the Aggies moved sophomore All-American Kenyon Green from right guard to center with true freshman Layden Robinson inserted at right guard.
A&M senior defensive tackle Jayden Peevy announced Sunday that he would return for a fifth season.
A&M’s other key seniors yet to announce their intentions include quarterback Kellen Mond, linebacker Buddy Johnson, cornerback Myles Jones and defensive end Micheal Clemons.
The deadline for players declaring for the NFL draft has yet to be determined. Expectations are that it will be around Jan. 18, which is seven days after Monday’s national championship game. The NFL draft will be April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M players celebrate after winning the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jumbo Fisher raises his hands during the trophy presentation at the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M players pose for photos at the end of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond, right, congratulates running back Devon Achane, after Achane was chosen as the MVP of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green (55) douses head coach Jimbo Fisher at the end of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
APTOPIX Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
APTOPIX Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green (55) douses head coach Jimbo Fisher at the end of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
APTOPIX Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina linebacker Eugene Asante (7) attempts to stop Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina defensive back Trey Morrison (4) sacks Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches his team during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M place kicker Seth Small (47) kicks a field goal as punter Nik Constantinou (95) holds, during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina head coach Mack Brown watches his team during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) grabs a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher speaks with quarterback Kellen Mond during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina wide receivers Dazz Newsome (5) and Khafre Brown (1) congratulate wide receiver Josh Downs (11) after Downs scored a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) grabs the face mask of Texas A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson (1) during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina linebacker Eugene Asante (7) attempts to stop Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jumbo Fisher raises his hands during the trophy presentation at the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher applauds as running back Devon Achane (6) is announced as the game MVP at the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher applauds as running back Devon Achane (6) is announced as the game MVP at the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches players warm up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches players warm up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches players warm up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher greets running back Isaiah Spiller (28) before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher watches players warm up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) runs to score a touchdown during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) takes a bow after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) stands back to pass during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M linebacker Andre White Jr. (32) intercepts a pass thrown by North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) hands the football to running back Isaiah Spiller (28), during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) runs the football during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs (11) falls on his head after he was tripped by Texas A&M defensive back Antonio Johnson (27), during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M fans cheer during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) avoids a tackle by Texas A&M defensive back Brian George (16) during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina fans cheer during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina wide receiver Dazz Newsome (5) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown, during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson, left, chases down North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell during the second half of the Orange Bowl on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
APTOPIX Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterbacks Jace Ruder (10) and Sam Howell (7) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) warms up before the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) scores a touchdown during the first half of the Orange Bowl against North Carolina on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Orange Bowl Football
North Carolina linebacker Eugene Asante (7) attempts to stop Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Orange Bowl Football
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher applauds as running back Devon Achane (6) is announced as the game MVP at the Orange Bowl on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla. A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27.
RYAN MCCOLLUM
