Cal QB Jared Goff announces he will enter 2016 NFL draft

California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff announced his plans to enter the 2016 NFL Draft during a press conference Thursday.

California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goffannounced his plans to enter the 2016 NFL Draft during a press conference Thursday.

“After much deliberation with my family and close friends, I've decided to forgo my senior year at Cal and enter the 2016 NFL draft,” Goff said. ”This decision was not an easy one by any means. When you're a student athlete at the number one public university in the world and part of a tremendous football program, it is really hard postpone finishing school and getting a degree while playing one final season with your best friends. With that being said, I feel ready to take the next step in my football career and excited about what the future holds.”

The junior threw for 4,719 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions this season. Over the course of his collegiate career, Goff has accumulated a total of 12,200 passing yards, 96 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

Goff led the Golden Bears to a 55–36 victory over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl on Tuesday. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 467 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions against the Falcons.

Goff’s performance on Tuesday tied for the second most-touchdown passes thrown in a bowl game. His 43 touchdown passes this season broke the Pac-12’s single-season touchdown pass record, besting Marcus Mariota‘s record of 42.

Led by Goff, Cal finished the season with a record of 8–5.

BREAKING: Jared Goff is entering the 2016 NFL Draft.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/ZLABag9Ytt https://t.co/6G8ySnbnbR

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 31, 2015

- Xandria James