When the 2011 season began, many felt it would be Vontaze
Burfict’s last in an ASU uniform.

Regarded as one of the best defensive players in the
country, he was viewed as a sure-fire first round pick,
maybe even a top-10 selection.

However, the junior had well-documented struggles, with
some thinking it may lead to Burfict returning for his
senior season.

He won’t.

Reports surfaced Monday that the 21-year-old has decided
to forgo his final year in college and enter the 2012 NFL
Draft after Burfict made an announcement via his Facebook
page, and the school confirmed it Tuesday.

Burfict released the following statement to ASU:

“After thoughtful and in-depth discussions with my family,
I have decided to skip my final year of eligibility at
Arizona State University and make myself eligible for the
2012 NFL Draft. I would like to thank every one of my
coaches and professors at ASU. I plan to return to ASU and
get my degree and I will always support the university and
its football program. I cherish the memories and great
times I had as a student-athlete at ASU and I hope to make
the university proud of my future accomplishments on and
off the field.”

Burfict’s departure will make Arizona State thin at
linebacker, though you’ll likely be hard-pressed to find
anyone disappointed he’s not coming back. Burfict was the
poster child for all that was wrong with ASU under former
coach Dennis Erickson, as he was a personal foul machine
and otherwise rarely held accountable for his miscues.

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