Texas A&M junior Linebacker Tyrel Dodson declares for NFL Draft
Texas A&M junior linebacker Tyrel Dodson on Wednesday announced via twitter that he would forego his senior season and declare for the NFL draft.
Dodson is the second junior to announce he is leaving. Tight end Jace Sternberger announced on Tuesday that he would enter the draft. Running back Trayveon Williams, center Erik McCoy and possibly defensive tackle Justin Madubuike are also considering entering the draft. Players who have been out of high school for three years are eligible to declare for the draft.
A popular player on and off the field, Dodson may have hinted that he’d decided to leave the program the week before the Aggies left for the Gator Bowl when he answered all questions on the matter by repeating: “I’m just trying to win my first bowl game.”
He played a major role in helping the Aggies defeat North Carolina State 52-13 in the Gator Bowl. He posted a team-high 9 tackles and returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown to stake the Aggies to a 28-13 lead in the third quarter.
He also played a key role in bolstering the A&M defense, which is rated 32nd in the nation overall and fourth in the nation against the run.
Dodson was a three-star rated recruit coming out of Franklin (Tenn.) Centennial High School in 2016. He appeared in every game his freshman season, recorded 27 tackles and recovered a fumble against Arkansas.
He moved into the starting lineup his sophomore season and led the Aggies with 105 tackles, including 11 for losses. That included 5.5 sacks. He also was credited with 8 passes broken up. He had three interceptions, including one he returned 40 yards for a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette.
This season, Dodson posted 70 tackles, broke up three passes, recovered a fumble and had the interception against North Carolina State.
He completes his A&M career with 202 tackles, including 19.5 for lost yardage. He had 6 sacks, 4 interceptions, 15 passes broken up and two fumble recoveries.