COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The father of South Carolina defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles says his son will leave school after his junior season to enter the NFL draft.

South Carolina junior defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles is third in the SEC with seven sacks and also leads the Gamecocks with 11 tackles for loss. Jim Dedmon/Icon SMI

Buddy Quarles said by phone Wednesday his son had talked with Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier and defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward about his decision. Buddy Quarles says Spurrier told his son that he could walk with the seniors and other players leaving early at South Carolina's final home game against Clemson on Nov. 30.

Quarles, 6-foot-4, 298 pounds, leads the team with seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. He's third in the SEC in sacks.

He won't be South Carolina's only loss along the defensive line as junior end Jadeveon Clowney has said for almost a year that he would enter the draft after this season.