Tight end Ryan Izzo has decided to forego his senior season and declare for the NFL draft. The redshirt junior will join fellow underclassmen Josh Sweat and Derwin James by entering the draft early and is projected by many sites as one of the top five players at his position in this year’s class.

“I have decided to forgo my senior season and chase my dream of playing in the @NFL.” – @IzzoRyan https://t.co/qdUi1lwAGK — FSU Football (@FSUFootball) January 3, 2018

After redshirting in 2014, Izzo has been the primary starting tight end for the Seminoles since the 2015 season. In his career, he caught 54 passes for 761 yards and six touchdowns. He was on the preseason Mackey Award watch list, but after the injury to Deondre Francois, the number of targets for Izzo went below what was expected during the preseason.

Izzo may not have put up the best numbers for Florida State, but he was a worthy successor to Nick O’Leary at the tight end position. A ferocious blocker, he was a major factor in the success of the FSU running game, consistently setting the edge allowing running backs to run free. He should have a productive NFL career with whoever takes him, and Seminole nation everywhere wishes him the best.

Now, Florida State is in a bit of trouble at the tight end position. Backup junior Mavin Saunders announced he was transferring from the program back in November, which leaves only two guys at that position who have caught a pass. Freshman Tre McKitty, a former four-star prospect, registered one catch this year against Louisiana Monroe and should be competing for the starting job with sophomore Naseir Upshur, who also has one career catch. Freshman Alexander Marshall did not play this season, and is the only other tight end on the roster.

All players are talented, but it will be interesting to see how the Seminole tight ends play this season, especially with the new type of offense being ushered in with the Taggart era. Upshur and McKitty are both good players, and the starting tight end battle will be a big storyline during the offseason.