Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is tackled by North Carolina State's Germaine Pratt while Isaiah Moore watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. Clemson won 41-7. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

It has been confirmed by NC State officials: Senior linebacker Germaine Pratt will not play in the 2018 Gator Bowl, and will instead focus on the 2019 NFL Draft. Pratt signed with sports agent Erik Burkhardt, who represents other former NC State football players now in the NFL — Jaylen Samuels and Bradley Chubb.

Pratt follows teammate Kelvin Harmon, who announced earlier this week that he, too, would skip the Gator Bowl and prepare for the draft.

The 2018 season was an excellent one for Pratt. In his first season as a starting linebacker, the 6-foot-3 Pratt played in 11 games, recording 9.5 tackles per game — second in the ACC. Pratt also recorded six sacks (10.5 tackles for loss) and forced two fumbles.

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