Stanford's Solomon Thomas declares for 2017 NFL Draft

Stanford's leading tackler is going pro, as defensive lineman Solomon Thomas announced Wednesday he's skipping his senior season to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

"With the support of my family, I have decided to forgo my last years of eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft," Thomas wrote in a statement. "To my Stanford brothers, you all mean the world to me and I love you all."

Thomas led the Cardinal with 62 tackles - including eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss - in the 2016 season. The 6-foot-3 Texan was dominant in Stanford's Sun Bowl victory against North Carolina, winning the MVP award after registering seven tackles and a sack.