North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky has elected to forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft, Trubisky announced via The Players’ Tribune on Monday:

“After a lot of prayer and thought, I have decided to forgo my senior year and enter the NFL draft,” Trubisky wrote. “This has been the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make. But no matter what happens next, I know I’ll never experience something as special as being a Tar Heel.”

Trubisky is currently ranked as the top quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Miller’s most recent mock draft has Trubisky going number two overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

The 2016 season was the first season in Trubisky’s college career where he was the starter, and as North Carolina’s starter, he set single-season school records for passing yards (3,748), passing touchdowns (30), completions (304), attempts (447) and all-purpose yards with 4,056 yards.

“He patiently waited for his opportunity to play at UNC and when that chance came this year, he had one of best seasons in school history,” coach Larry Fedora said in a statement through the school, per ESPN. “We support his decision and look forward to watching him play at the next level.”

To replace Trubisky next season, North Carolina will either turn to Nathan Elliott, Chazz Surratt, or Logan Byrd to be the team’s starting quarterback. Elliott figures to have the early advantage, due to past experience.

The 22-year-old Trubisky, who will enter the 2017 NFL season at age 23, has hired Bruce Tollner as his agent. He will train in California to prepare for the NFL Draft, which will be held in April.

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