UCLA DL Kenny Clark moving on to NFL

Kenny Clark will not return to UCLA. Instead, the junior defensive tackle has decided to forego his senior season and declare for the 2016 NFL draft.

Clark announced the decision on Twitter on Monday.

“After much thought and consideration with my family I have decided to forego my career at UCLA and enter the 2016 NFL draft,” Clark wrote. “I am ready to take the next step forward and excited to pursue my dream toward being the best player I can be in the NFL.”

Here’s Clark’s entire message:

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Clark was second on the Bruins this season in tackles (75), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (six). He had a season-high eight tackles in UCLA’s loss to Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl on Dec. 26.

He first emerged as a starter in 2014 and totaled 58 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. He also played in all 13 games and made four starts as a freshman in 2013, registering 31 tackles and four tackles for loss on the season.

According to the Orange County Register, Clark told reporters before the Foster Farms Bowl that he received a second-round grade from the NFL draft advisory board.

He is the third underclassman to make the decision to leave UCLA early for the NFL, joining linebacker Myles Jack and guard Alex Redmond.

For more UCLA news, visit BruinSportsReport.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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