USF MLB Patrick Macon runs out of the Raymond James Stadium tunnel during Senior Day celebrations.

USF middle linebacker Patrick Macon announced he will enter the 2020 NFL Draft, via a statement on Twitter on Tuesday.

Macon was hoping to receive a sixth year of eligibility for an injury that happened while he was at Oklahoma State - where he redshirted in both 2017 and 2018.

"It has come to my attention that my medical redshirt year was not granted back to me," he wrote. "With that being said, I will now be entering the 2020 NFL Draft."

The Memphis native registered 67 tackles in nine games before he didn't play against Cincinnati, Memphis and UCF due to an ankle injury. He had a season-high 15 in the season-opener against Wisconsin and registered 13 tackles against Navy in the October loss. Macon finished third on the team in tackles.

Macon's eight tackles for loss ranked fifth on the team in 2019. He had half of his season total in the opener against the Badgers, where he also forced a fumble. His two forced fumbles (the other at East Carolina) tied Bentlee Sanders for tops on the team.

His stats don't tell the full story. Macon was also a verbal leader and a great locker room presence. He brought obvious Power Five experience to the dressing room with his time at Oklahoma State, but he brought knowledge from two years at the junior college level. Macon spent two years at Arizona Western CC before heading to Oklahoma State in 2017.

He was one of four defensive transfers that made an impact on that side of the ball for the Bulls this season.

Macon and safety Devin Studstill were named to the 247Sports' midseason All-Transfer Portal team for their efforts in the first half of the season. Along with defensive end Darius Slade, the trio had a huge impact in helping USF rank in the top 10 nationally in tackles for loss in their first and only season in the green and gold.

If not invited to the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place over the first weekend in March, Macon will look to improve his draft stock in the annual Pro Day workouts, which is typically held in March, after the combine.

Here's the full statement from Macon:

"First off, I want to thank God for putting me in this position to be able to showcase my talent at the highest level. I also want to thank everyone who helped me get to where I am today on and off the field. I want to thank the University of South Florida for giving me the opportunity to fulfill one of my dreams of playing college football.

"It has come to my attention that my medical redshirt year was not granted back to me.

"With that being said, I will now be entering the 2020 NFL Draft. I had unfinished business at South Florida, but God had other plans for me. To my coaches and teammates, the year 2020 is the start of a new vision for the Bulls and I can already see great things ahead. Bring that championship back to Tampa. God Bless and Go Bulls! Sincerely, Patrick Macon."