Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell will enter NFL draft

By foxsports
Published

Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell is heading to the NFL, announcing Monday that he will declare for the draft three days after catching three touchdown passes in the Sugar Bowl.

The school released a statement announcing Treadwell's decision on Monday. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior leaves Ole Miss with several school records and led the Southeastern Conference with 1,153 yards receiving this season.

Treadwell's decision isn't surprising: He's widely considered a first round pick three years after being one of the nation's top recruits.

He played all 13 games this season - helping Ole Miss to a 10-win season - one year after breaking his leg in a game against Auburn. His unique combination of strength and speed made him the Rebels' most consistent playmaker.

''After sitting down with my family, we have decided it is time for me to take the next step in my career and enter the 2016 NFL draft,'' Treadwell said in the school's statement. ''It's always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, and I can't thank my teammates, coaches and our great fans enough for their unbelievable support since the first day I stepped foot on campus.''

Treadwell's final game at Ole Miss was one of his best. He caught three touchdown passes from Chad Kelly and even threw a 45-yard completion to Jordan Wilkins on a trick play as Ole Miss beat Oklahoma State 48-20 in the Sugar Bowl.

As Treadwell stood on the postgame podium following the Sugar Bowl win, Ole Miss fans chanted ''One more year!'' But his eventual decision to leave appeared inevitable.

''It was an honor to have coached Laquon, and our family will miss him greatly,'' Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. ''The commitment that he and others in his class made to our program three years ago has changed the culture of Ole Miss.''

Treadwell joins defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche in declaring for the NFL draft.

Nkemdiche announced his decision last month after he was suspended from the Sugar Bowl following an incident in Atlanta when he was charged with possession of marijuana.

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AP College website: collegefootball.ap.org