Southern Methodist quarterback Matt Davis is calling it quits on his college football career.

Davis, a fifth-year senior in 2016, could have petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility in 2017. Instead, he’s signed with an agent and is declaring for the 2017 NFL draft.

Davis began the season as SMU’s starting quarterback but suffered a torn ACL in the Mustangs’ first game of the season vs. North Texas. SMU coach Chad Morris said days after Davis’ injury that the QB would appeal to play in 2017, but things obviously changed. Davis had 155 passing yards and two touchdowns along with 94 rushing yards and a rushing TD vs. the Mean Green.

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The quarterback was SMU’s leading passer in 2015. He threw for 2,263 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 starts.

Davis began his college career at Texas A&M where he redshirted in 2012. He transferred to Tyler Junior College for the 2013 season and then moved on to SMU for 2014, where he started the last five games of the season.

His departure opens the door for Ben Hicks to be SMU’s undisputed starter in 2017. Hicks took over for Davis after the injury in 2016 and was 234-422 passing for 2,930 yards and 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Hicks, a native of Waco, Texas, will be a redshirt sophomore this season.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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