Stanford left guard David Yankey will enter the NFL Draft, the school announced Monday.
Yankey could’ve returned for a fifth year in Palo Alto, but will be one of the top offensive linemen in the 2014 NFL Draft and will earn his degree from Stanford (in science, technology and society) this spring.
“I reached my decision following conversations with family and coaches, and am greatly looking forward to the next chapter in life,” Yankey said in a statement. “The decision was not easy. I have loved my time at Stanford and am a proud member of Nerd Nation. I am humbled at the prospect of joining a long list of Stanford alumni currently playing in the NFL.”
Yankey was an unanimous All-American in 2013 and a consensus All-American in 2012, though he played left tackle in 2012.