University, Miss. (OMS) – Ole Miss receiver Donte Moncrief announced Saturday that he will forgo his senior season and enter the upcoming 2014 National Football League Draft.
“After meeting with Coach Freeze and looking at all available information, my family and I have decided that I will declare for the draft,” Moncrief said. “I appreciate all the support I have received over the last three years from the fans, my coaches and teammates. I have had an awesome experience at Ole Miss and plan to support Rebel Nation until I die. At this time, I have to do what is best for my family and I, and I am ready to pursue my dream of playing in the NFL.”
“I appreciate Donte’s hard work, commitment and leadership for our program,” said Rebel head coach Hugh Freeze. “His outstanding play the last two seasons has been a big reason for the turnaround we have experienced and the two straight bowl victories. He is close to graduation, and I hope he reaches that goal. While we had hoped he might stay another year, we are excited about his future, and we look forward to seeing another Rebel shine on Sundays.”
A 6-foot-3, 226-pounder from Raleigh, Miss., Moncrief ranks top-three in school history in every career receiving category, including placing second with 10 100-yard games. His 156 catches, 2,371 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns are all third-best all-time in the Ole Miss record book.
As a junior this season, Moncrief notched a school record-tying five 100-yard receiving games, including 113 on six receptions in the Music City Bowl victory. He finished the year with 59 grabs for 938 yards and six TDs.
Moncrief’s best season came in 2012, when the sophomore earned All-SEC honors from various media outlets. He hauled in career highs of 66 passes for 979 yards and 10 scores and turned in a career night in the Egg Bowl with 173 receiving yards and three TDs in the win over Mississippi State.
A prep All-American at Raleigh High School, Moncrief burst onto the scene in Oxford in 2011, posting then freshman records of 31 catches (for 454 yards) and four touchdowns in garnering Freshman All-America honors.
