Byron Cowart asked for his release from Auburn because of his lack of playing time and a health issue his mother is coping with.

In an interview with AL.com Tuesday morning after he was granted his release, Cowart said he plans to return home to Seffner, Fla. and resume his academic studies at an area school "within the next week" for the remainder of the semester before transferring to another program.

"I'm happy with my decision and I know that this ain't it for me," Cowart said. "My main reason was my mother's health is more important. Me being an only child, got to get back to home to her. Plus I already wasn't playing enough and contributing to the team.

"I'll see what options I have and what the NCAA allows me to do. This isn't over for me and this definitely is not the end of my college career. ... I can guarantee you football is not over for me. I still love the game, I love everything about football."

Cowart had three tackles with .5 for loss this season and 15 tackles with 1.5 for loss in 26 games in his three years at Auburn.

He cited the departure of former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who recruited Cowart, following the 2015 season as a difficult point early in his career.

The No. 1-ranked recruit by Rivals in 2015, Cowart began his career at defensive end for two seasons before moving to defensive tackle this offseason.

Cowart said he "felt better" at tackle since the season began and coaches said they saw improvement in his play.

He was unsure if his next school will be close to home and said his release allows him to transfer anywhere outside the SEC and teams not on Auburn's 2018 schedule, which also includes Washington, Southern Miss, Liberty and Alabama State.

"It depends. Once I get home and see how bad my mom - she just came from the doctor yesterday and I'll go to the doctor with her," Cowart said. "She had surgery, I think, a couple months ago. She didn't tell me everything because she didn't want to stress me out when I was here at Auburn. Once I get home she'll fill me in on everything with her doctor.

"If I'm going to be far from home, it has to be meaningful. I really need a shot to make it to league. I'm not asking for nobody to give me a starting job or anything like that but I just felt like I was more than the 10 snaps or 20 snaps I was getting a game."