The Huskies have had eight defensive backs drafted since 2017. In this next draft cycle, that number could hit 11.

Kyler Gordon joined corner Trent McDuffie and safety Bookie Radley-Hiles in declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft Wednesday night. A fourth-year corner from Mukilteo, Gordon could have played as many as two more seasons with the Huskies, but instead the first-team All-Pac-12 selection will jump to the league.

“I am forever grateful for the opportunity to fulfill my dreams as a student-athlete at the University of Washington,” Gordon wrote. “These last few years have been nothing short of amazing.”

After a redshirt year in 2018, Gordon made appearances in every game for the Huskies over the last three years while earning 17 starts. He was an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 teams in 2019 and 2020, but in 2021 he took his play to another level.

He finished the year with 45 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Per PFF, Gordon was the highest-graded corner in the Pac-12 this past season. He and McDuffie had the two best coverage grades among Pac-12 corners, as well.

Replacing that duo will be tough for the Huskies.

According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, Gordon grades out as the 51st overall prospect available for the 2022 NFL Draft. McShay has him ranked as the 10th-best available corner.