Keelan Doss had a big decision staring him in the face. The NFL was calling and so was the UC Davis football team.

After a 2017 season in which the Aggies’ All-American wideout led the nation in three key receiving categories and demolished the school record book, Doss was projected to be a mid-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Many people involved with the program believed, although desperately wanting him back, Doss’ stock was at an all-time high and he was going pro. But pride and a devout loyalty to his teammates had Doss thinking differently.

The Alameda High School product ultimately decided to stay in school and return for his senior campaign with UC Davis, a shocking result to many around the program.

“We have a lot left to accomplish as a program,” Doss recently said to Bruce Gallaudet of UC Davis Athletics. “I want to help take that next step this year. I feel like this is our break-through year. I haven’t had a winning season since I’ve been at UC Davis, so that would mean a lot to me to go out and overcome that.”

Doss has been the cornerstone of UC Davis’ recent ascent since head coach Dan Hawkins took over almost two years ago.

In Hawkins’ first season at the helm, the Aggies went 5-6 and finished eighth in the Big Sky Conference. While the record may not pop off the page, the Aggies made significant improvements after going 3-8 in 2016. Two significant plays prevented the Aggies from going 7-4 last fall.

“I feel like this will be the year that everything comes together, so I wanted to come back and help the team be where it needs to be,” Doss said. “That unfinished business is a huge part of why I’m back, too.”

A Walter Payton Award finalist, Doss led the nation — FCS and FBS — in receiving yards (1,499), receiving yards per game (136.3) and receptions an outing (10.5).

His 115 catches were a new UC Davis record, as were receiving yards and nine 100-yards-or-better games. Doss even got an ESPN Top 10 Plays nod thanks to his one-handed, diving catch against Eastern Washington.

Doss has already been given 2018 preseason All-American status by several football services, a list that also includes STATS LLC’s honor when the organization announced its list of award winners on July 31, and is the Big Sky media choice to repeat as the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.

“Keelan is the best receiver I’ve ever coached,” Hawkins told Gallaudet. “Sometimes we overcomplicate this game; if you have a really good player, you need to get that guy the ball. It’s funny at receiver. If he’s your best player you think, ‘Oh, let’s throw it to him eight or nine times a game.’ Whereas, with a running back, you’d certainly give it to him more than eight or nine times.

“Our stated goal going into games this year is to throw it to him 20 times a game.”

At 6-3, 208 pounds, Doss was projected by some as a third-round NFL pick last year — the kind of professional consideration that frequently comes with a seven-digit payday.

But Doss is set on building himself into an even better prospect this season. He doesn’t just want to make it to the NFL, he wants to stick.

“(I want to) hone all areas of my game,” Doss said. “Things that will help me transition to wherever I get an opportunity to play in the NFL. Who knows? Maybe (this season) will help my draft stock.”

Doss also admitted that earning his degree was a big reason for returning to school. He is expected to graduate in December with a degree in sociology education studies.

“(Schooling) is a big part of it for me,” he said. “I really wanted to get my degree before I left here. Accomplishing that will be a major deal.”

Doss and the Aggies will return to action on Thursday, Aug. 30, when UC Davis opens the season at San Jose State. Kickoff is 7 p.m.