EAST LANSING – Montae Nicholson will join Malik McDowell in the NFL draft.

The Michigan State safety announced via Twitter on Thursday night that he will bypass his senior season at MSU to turn pro, a second big loss for the Spartans' defense for next season.

“In December of 2013, I made one of the best decisions of my life to become a Michigan State Spartan,” Nicholson wrote. “Now exactly three years later, I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life to leave East Lansing and take the next steps toward my future.”

The 6-foot-2, 219-pounder from Monroeville, Pa., earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media after finishing second for the Spartans with 86 tackles in 11 games this fall as a junior. Nicholson also had an interception, two pass break-ups and forced a fumble.

For his career, Nicholson started 23 of his 38 games at MSU and finished with 200 tackles and four interceptions from his strong safety position. He helped the Spartans beat Baylor in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic and then earn a spot later that year in the College Football Playoff back in Arlington, Texas.

CBSSports.com ranked Nicholson as the fourth-best strong safety prospect for the 2018 NFL draft, had he returned to MSU. The Spartans also lose starting free safety Demetrious Cox to graduation. They return juniors Grayson Miller, Matt Morrissey, Khari Willis and Jalen Watts-Jackson; sophomores David Dowell and Kenney Lyke; and redshirt freshman Demetric Vance.

Michigan State football turns calendar ahead to 2017 after 3-9 finish

Nicholson – who had until Jan. 16 to declare for the draft – said he promised his mother, Jackie Crawford, that he would return to school and finish his degree. He also thanked coach Mark Dantonio, co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett and the rest of MSU’s assistants, trainers and other staff, as well as his teammates, professors and fans.

“I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to help me grow as both a football player and a man,” Nicholson wrote. “My teammates made leaving Michigan State very difficult, a decision I did not take lightly. … Playing for Michigan State has been an honor and a privilege.”

Defensive lineman McDowell announced he would turn pro on Dec. 5.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.

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