Oregon is losing its leading linebacker to the NFL.

Noah Sewell officially declared for the NFL Draft on Thursday, marking an end to an illustrious three years with the Oregon program.

“My family came to the U.S. more than 10 years ago to follow a dream. Today, I am following a personal dream I have had since I was a child,” Sewell said in a message shared to social media. “I have watched my three older brothers play professionally, and now it is my turn. After three memorable years at Oregon, I am officially declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.”

Sewell started in all 12 games for Oregon this season, finishing the year tied for second on the team in tackles with 56. The 6-foot-2, 253-pound linebacker also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He also scored his first career touchdown during the Ducks’ blowout win over Colorado this season on a one-yard carry from the goal line on offense.

Over Sewell’s three-year career with Oregon, he started 31 of his 33 games appearances and posted 215 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and two interceptions.

This season, he was named an All-Pac-12 Second Team linebacker by both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press. He was a first-team all-conference selection last season and the league’s Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. That first season with the program, Sewell was also named a Freshman All-American.

Sewell signed with the Ducks out of the 2020 class as the fifth highest-rated recruit in program history.

It’s not immediately clear if Sewell will play in the Holiday Bowl against North Carolina. If he doesn’t, his departure will leave the Ducks significantly shorthanded at the linebacker position. Justin Flowe signed with Arizona on Wednesday. Jackson LaDuke is transferring to Nevada.

Jeff Bassa started eight games for the Ducks this season while Keith Brown appeared in 11. They figure to be the next men up. Oregon will also be able to use players in the Holiday Bowl who would have otherwise been unavailable if not for the NCAA agreeing to exclude bowl games from the four-game redshirt limit.

Sewell becomes the third player to officially declare for the NFL Draft, joining cornerback Christian Gonzalez and outside linebacker DJ Johnson.