COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The wait is over.

Johnny Manziel finally made public what has been speculated for months and what leaked earlier in the day.

The Texas A&M quarterback announced Wednesday that he will forgo his final two years of NCAA eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL draft. The news closes the book on an eventful college career, one that saw him break records and break barriers when in 2012 he became the first freshman in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy.

In a statement released through Texas A&M, Manziel said it wasn't an easy decision to make.

"After long discussions with my family, friends, teammates and coaches, I have decided to make myself available for the 2014 NFL draft," Manziel said. "The decision was not an easy one, but we all felt this was the right time to make the next step toward a professional career. My experiences here and the support of this school, coach [Kevin] Sumlin, chancellor [John] Sharp, my teammates, my classmates and Aggie football fans everywhere will be something that I carry with me for the rest of my life. I'll always be an Aggie."

Manziel penned a separate letter to Texas A&M fans, which was posted on TexAgs.com:

Manziel filed the official paperwork to declare himself eligible for the draft Wednesday. His decision was reported earlier Wednesday by NFL.com.