UCLA redshirt junior linebacker Akeem Ayers will not return to the Bruins for his final season and instead will try his luck in April’s NFL Draft.
Ayers first revealed the news on his Twitter account Monday afternoon.
“I want to thank my coaches, teammates and everyone at UCLA for all of their help the last few years,” Ayers said in a statement released by the school Monday night. “I have had a great experience at UCLA, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to attend such an outstanding school.
“I will miss playing with my UCLA teammates next year, but I feel that the decision to go to the NFL is what is best for my family. I will always be a Bruin.”
Ayers was selected for the All-Pac-10 first team and the Associated Press All-American third team for his performance in the 2010 season.
The Bruins’ starting outside linebacker for all 12 of their games, Ayers was tied for the team lead with four sacks and second with 10 tackles for a loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
“Akeem has been a big-play performer throughout his career at UCLA, and we support his decision to move to the next level,” coach Rick Neuheisel said in the statement. “Who will ever forget his interceptions against Oregon and Temple (in 2009) that he turned into touchdowns, or his many sacks? We will miss Akeem, but we look forward to watching him make those same types of plays on Sundays in the NFL.”
Most draft projections have the 6-foot-4-inch, 255-pound Ayers being selected in the middle of the first round. Scouts Inc. has him as a No. 15 prospect in the draft. ESPN draft analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have Ayers going at No. 11 and No. 16 in their respective mock drafts.
“His exceptional athleticism makes him so versatile,” Kiper Jr. said about Ayers in his mock draft. “Ideal every-down 3-4 OLB who can rush and cover. Ayers should test well at the combine.”
UCLA has not had a Top-20 draft pick since quarterback Cade McNown was taken 12th by the Chicago Bears in 1999.
The 2011 Draft will start on April 28 in New York.