Junior left tackle Andrus Peat, recently named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News and SI.com, declared for the 2015 NFL Draft on Tuesday.
“It’s been a long and hard decision,” he said in a Stanford Athletics release. “I’m excited and ready to take the next big step of my life.”
Peat joins classmate Alex Carter, who last week announced his decision to leave school early, in the draft. Each has a father who played in the NFL.
Chosen as the 2014 Morris Trophy recipient in a vote by opposing Pac-12 defensive linemen, Peat started his final 27 games for the Cardinal and was the team’s only returning starter entering last season.
He came to Stanford as the headliner of a historic 2012 offensive line recruiting class and was listed as a top-10 recruit nationally by several recruiting services. The hype surrounding the psychology major has not let up in the three years since, as he is widely projected as a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
In Peat’s absence, junior right tackle Kyle Murphy may move across the line to play left tackle next season. Freshman Casey Tucker, who saw action this season, is another potential contender.
Contact Joseph Beyda at jbeyda ‘at’ stanford.edu.