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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Ramsey, considered by many to be a top-five pick, announced Tuesday he'll skip his senior season at Florida State to enter the NFL draft.
Ramsey, a 6-foot-1, 202-pound junior, started all 13 games at cornerback this season for the Seminoles (10-3) and finished with 52 tackles, including 3½ for loss and a team-high 10 pass breakups.
"I arrived at Florida State as a boy, but now because of your unconditional love and support, I am leaving a man, a man who has accomplished many of his goals and is looking forward to what the future has in store," Ramsey said in a statement. "Although this season did not end the way we would have liked, I couldn't have selected a better group of teammates and coaches to go to battle with each and every Saturday."
The Seminoles defense allowed only 15.8 points per game, which was fifth in the nation, and was the only team during the regular season that didn't have an opponent score 25 or more points on them.
Ramsey was a second-team selection to The Associated Press All-American team and a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.
He also had a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in a Sept. 18 win at Boston College that was Florida State's lone defensive score of the season.
In his three seasons at Florida State, Ramsey started all 41 games and had three interceptions, 180 tackles (including 15 for loss) and 23 pass breakups. He began his career by becoming the first true freshman to start at cornerback since Deion Sanders before moving to safety and helping lead the Seminoles to the 2013 BCS National Championship.
"I'm extremely happy for Jalen and his family," said coach Jimbo Fisher in a statement. "I think it is a very smart decision by him. He will be a tremendous pro. He was an outstanding player and leader for us. I cannot say enough good things about him. I wish him nothing but the best."
Ramsey is considered by many NFL scouts to be the top defensive back in this year's group. Besides playing corner, Ramsey also started 25 games at safety and was a kick returner. A sprinter on the track team, he may produce one of the top 40-yard dash times at next month's NFL Scouting Combine.
Defensive end DeMarcus Walker and kicker Roberto Aguayo also could declare for the draft. The NFL's deadline for underclassmen is Jan. 15.
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