San Diego State cornerback Damontae Kazee announced that he will pass up his senior season and make himself available for the 2016 NFL draft.

Kazee, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, made the announcement on Instagram, saying: “Been playing this game for almost 16 years, it’s time for me to move up to the next level, I want to thank all my brothas on my team, the coaching staff, and all the advisors that had to put up with me but it’s time to live up to my dream and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. #AppreciateAllYouGuys”

Underclassmen must file declaration papers by Jan. 18 with the NFL, which will release the list of those accepted on Jan. 22.

Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander, Virginia Tech’s Kendall Fuller and Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves all are cornerbacks ranked among the top players at the position who have or are expected to declare. Kazee does not rank among the top players at the position, but his stock is expected to rise after the season he had for SDSU.


Kazee is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior from San Bernardino’s Cajon High who had a breakout year for the Aztecs.

He opened the season with three interceptions against USD. It was the most interceptions in game by an Aztecs player in 64 years. Kazee had a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown in midseason at Colorado State.

His eighth interception came last week in SDSU’s Hawaii Bowl win over Cincinnati, tying him for the second most interceptions in the nation this season. It also tied the school record (Division I era, set by Tom Deckert in 1969) and Mountain West record for most interceptions in a season.

Kazee led the Aztecs with 15 passes defended, had seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He also was among the team leaders with 75 tackles. He also returned a punt for a 66-yard touchdown at UNLV.


Kazee was named a second-team All-American by USA Today and honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated.