Whoever ends up throwing the ball for UCLA next season just lost what likely would have been his top option.

Kyle Philips has officially declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. He could have still played upwards of two seasons with the Bruins, but after leading the team in receptions in each of his last three seasons, Philips is ready for the next step.

“Thank you to my teammates for the best four years of my life,” he wrote. “It might not have ended how we would have liked but I am walking away grateful and with a full heart.”

A redshirt year in 2018 precluded arguably some of the most productive years by a wideout in recent UCLA memory.

His 60 receptions during the 2019 season were the most ever by a freshman player at UCLA (redshirt or true) and he became the first Bruin redshirt freshman to lead the team in receptions since 2001. A year later, he played in all seven games and hauled in 38 catches for 370 yards and two scores.

In 2021, Philips had 10 touchdowns and 739 yards on 59 receptions. That campaign earned him First Team All-Pac-12 honors.

The 5-foot-11 wideout from San Marcos, California, ends his Bruin career fourth all-time in receptions in program history with 163.