Arkansas defensive tackle Briston Guidry is walking away from football after doctors told him it wouldn’t be in his best interest to play due to multiple knee injuries throughout his career.

“First, I want to start off by saying thank you to all the coaches who gave me an opportunity to further my education and play college ball,” Guidry stated via Twitter on Tuesday night. “I always knew football wouldn’t last forever, but I never knew I would be walking away so soon.

“In my last couple of years, I’ve been battling through seven knee surgeries. After being told by my doctors that it would not be in my best interest to try to play on my knee again, I had to make a decision that would impact my life and my son’s life. The game of football has blessed me in so many ways. I gained so many friends, brother, relationships and a free education, even beating the odds to make it out of my city. I gave it 110 percent every day. I have no regrets. I did everything in my power to keep playing. I will forever be a Razorback. I appreciate every fan that’s been with me since day one. Still, to this moment, I do not know what’s in store for me next, but I do know I have God by me through this storm.”

Guidry, 6-2, 292, played in eight games for the Razorbacks in 2018. He totaled 155 snaps on the defensive line while recording 15 tackles. The Metairie (La.) Archbishop Rummel product recovered a fumble in the end zone against Eastern Illinois last season, and he also racked up 1.5 sacks in 2018. He decided to go through with another surgery to help repair a nagging knee injury with two weeks remaining in Arkansas’ season.

As a sophomore, Guidry saw action in 11 games while playing in 280 defensive snaps for the Razorbacks. He totaled 21 tackles during the 2017 season, including 3.5 for a loss with a sack. He recovered two fumbles, including one in the end zone vs. Mississippi State. He did not play as a freshman as he redshirted during his initial year with the program.

As a recruit, Guidry was ranked as the No. 31 overall defensive tackle in the country and the No. 19 overall player from Louisiana in the Class of 2016. He was rated a 4-star by the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Ranking, and he was the No. 293 overall player in the nation. Guidry chose Arkansas over offers from 14 other schools, including Arizona State, Miami, Oklahoma, Alabama, LSU, Louisville, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Penn State, Southern Miss, Tennessee, TCU and Texas A&M. During his three years at Archbishop Rummel, he amassed 244 tackles, including 37 for loss, 25.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.