AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn pass rusher Nick Coe has left the team and will not participate in the Outback Bowl.

The Buck/defensive end announced Friday afternoon on Instagram he has left the team and will pursue the NFL.

The news comes on the heels of a disappointing regular season in which he did not live up to expectations after breaking out as the Tigers' top pass rusher (team-leading seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss) in 2018. Coe finished his junior season with a career-low 15 tackles, including three for losses, in only nine games. He did not record a sack.

He did not play in Auburn's 51-10 victory against Arkansas in late October because of a coach's decision.

"He's gonna have to do better off the field, on the field, so we'll see how that works this week," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said at the time.

Malzahn seemed disappointed in Coe's efforts at the time.

“Yeah, you got to have a good week," Malzahn said. "He’s got to show up and have a good week on the field and off the field.”

Auburn's pass rush transformed in 2019 as unanimous All-American Derrick Brown became a run-stopping (12.5 tackles for loss) and quarterback-sacking (4 sacks) force in the middle and defensive end Marlon Davidson overcame his injuries as a junior to lead the Tigers with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Big Kat Bryant got most of the work at the Buck pass-rusher position, where he was credited with a team-high nine quarterback hurries.

In Coe's announcement Friday, he mentioned his "entire life has been a journey of ups and downs and my tie (sic) at Auburn was no different."

Here's Coe's full announcement:

"I cannot begin to rexpress how much I appreciate the opportunity that Auburn University has given me these last four years. My entire life has been a journey of ups and downs and my tie (sic) at Auburn was no different. However, because of my coaches, my teammates, and the Auburn Family, I am a better man and football player than I was when I came to Auburn. Although, I realize that I am not a finished product, I have decided for reasons that are personal to me to forego my remaining eligibility at Auburn, including the Outback Bowl. "Hopefully, my time at Auburn will be a foundation for success in pursuing my long standing dream of playing in the NFL. I will continue working towards becoming an 'Auburn Man' and I will always take Auburn with me no matter where my path leads me. I will be forever grateful for my coaches, my teammates, and the Auburn Family! "War Eagle!"

Auburn (9-3) plays Minnesota (10-2) in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT on ESPN.

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