Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft has decided to forgo his final season of eligibility to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, Scarlet Knights coach Kyle Flood announced Tuesday during a teleconference to wrap up the season.

"I just had a meeting with Tyler Kroft and his dad a little while ago and Tyler is going to declare for the NFL Draft and we couldn't be more excited for him,'' Flood said. "We thank him for all of his contributions and everything that he's added to our program over the last four years. He has four credits left to graduate, which he should be able to get that done this spring, and we're looking forward to him having a great career in the NFL going forward.''

The 6-6, 240-pound junior from Downingtown, Pa., had 24 receptions for 269 yards and no touchdowns after enjoying a breakthrough campaign a year ago, when he had 43 catches for 573 yards and four touchdowns.



Kroft explained his decision in an interview on Tuesday night.

"I know everyone gets caught up on numbers because of the production I had the season before," Kroft said. "I just think as an overall tight end teams are going to recognize how far I've come in just one year and then potentially how much more I can grow because of how far I've come this year."

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.