Oregon had hoped to get Christian Gonzalez back for another season, but the standout cornerback is going to make some money playing at the next level and he showed this season for the Ducks he’s ready for it now.

Gonzalez announced his draft declaration on social media Sunday, adding that he will not play in the Ducks’ bowl game.

“I am forever grateful for that I got to be an Oregon Duck,” he wrote. “I had an amazing experience. Thank you to all of Duck Nation for showing me why Autzen is the BEST place to play college football.”

The 6-foot-2, 201-pound corner transferred to Oregon last offseason, following corners coach Demetrice Martin from Colorado to Eugene. Gonzalez spent two years with the Buffs, starting all 18 games during that time. He earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a second-year man in 2021, finishing fifth on the team and first among defensive backs with 53 tackles.

At Oregon this season, he was a force.

Gonzalez produced 50 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions, and a blocked kick. He was the fourth-highest-graded Pac-12 corner this year, according to Pro Football Focus.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has Gonzalez tabbed as his second-best cornerback in the upcoming draft class, only behind Georgia’s Kelee Ringo. In his most recent draft rankings, McShay has Gonzalez slated as the 17th-best overall player in the class.

With Gonzalez unavailable for the bowl game, Dontae Manning could draw the start opposite Trikweze Bridges.