Clemson redshirt junior Nyles Pinckney has announced his intentions to return to Clemson for his fifth year instead of forgoing his last season of eligibility in favor of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Pinckney announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

"The season did not end the way I expected, but God never says 'oops,'" Pinckney wrote. "I set out to achieve my goal of becoming a professional athlete but I have concluded that I still have room to grow, learn, and improve. So with that being said, I have decided to return to college for my senior year and finish what I started."

The Beaufort, S.C. native is a former three-star and started one season at Clemson, this past one.

Pinckney told Clemson247 in the locker room following the National Championship that x-rays had revealed that he fractured his left ankle during the Ohio State game. He did not play vs. LSU as a result.

Pinckney graduated from Clemson in May 2018 and has been on pace to earn a second undergraduate degree from Clemson this May.

He was not expected to be selected in the first seven rounds of the NFL Draft and likely would have hedged his bets on being an undrafted free agent.

His 2019 Clemson accolades, per Clemson athletics:

Third-team All-ACC selection … entered bowl season credited with 27 tackles (4.0 for loss), one sack and a fumble recovery in 361 snaps over 13 games (12 starts) … posted a sack vs. Georgia Tech … added three tackles vs. No. 12 Texas A&M … contributed two tackles at Syracuse … made one tackle vs. Charlotte and at North Carolina … posted seven tackles (1.5 for loss) and recovered a fumble in midair at Louisville, sharing team defensive player of the game honors … added two tackles (0.5 for loss) vs. Boston College … recorded three tackles for loss (0.5 for loss) vs. Wofford … posted two tackles at NC State … made four tackles vs. Wake Forest … contributed a tackle at South Carolina.

In 2020, eligible to return at the defensive tackle position are Tyler Davis, Jordan Williams, Xavier Kelly, Darnell Jefferies, Tayquon Johnson, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Etinosa Reuben, in addition to Pinckney. In December, Clemson signed five-star and No. 1 prospect in the country Bryan Bresee, five-star Demonte Capehart, and four-star Tre Williams at the position.

Pinckney and Davis, who started the 2019 season, are the favorites to start again in 2020. It will be interesting to see how quickly Bresee or even Capehart or Williams insert themselves into the rotation as true freshmen.

Junior wide receiver Tee Higgins declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday. Juniors running back Travis Etienne and cornerback A.J. Terrell are expected to announce decisions by Monday, Jan. 20, the deadline for NFL Draft declarations.