The parade of players exiting college football for the NFL -- with one huge exception -- continues this afternoon as Wisconsin officially announced that they have lost one of the most talented defensive linemen in the country.
Via press release, the school announced that defensive end J.J. Watt will forgo his final season of college eligibility and enter the NFL draft. Watt also sent an open letter to Badger fans, which can be read in its entirety HERE.
“First and foremost, I would like to say that my time at the University of Wisconsin has been unbelievable and it has far surpassed anything that I ever could have imagined,” Watt wrote in the letter. “I would also like to thank Coach Bielema and the entire coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to play for my home-state team, as well as helping me to succeed both in the classroom and on the field at the highest level possible.
“This has, without a doubt, been one of the most difficult decisions of my life, and it is one that was not reached quickly, or easily. At this time, I have made the decision to enter the 2011 NFL Draft. It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to play in the National Football League, and through hard work and dedication, that dream finally has a chance to become a reality.”
Watt was named the 2010 Lott IMPACT Trophy winner, earned second-team All-America honors and was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection after leading the Badgers and ranking third in the country with 21.0 tackles for loss this season.