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BYU quarterback Zach Wilson announces he’ll enter the NFL draft

Wilson is expected to be a high pick, possibly the second quarterback taken behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson announced that he will be leaving the Cougars to enter the NFL draft.

  | Jan. 2, 2021, 12:35 a.m.

As the 2020 football season played out, Zach Wilson’s spotlight continued to get bigger. As his stats continued to build up, his stock did as well.

It led many to speculate that Wilson would enter the NFL draft after finishing up his junior season. As the season was drawing to an end, Wilson insisted he hadn’t made his decision yet, but would probably do so by the new year. And he delivered.

On Friday, Wilson announced his decision to opt out of his senior season and instead declare for the NFL draft via his social media. He is the latest Cougar to make the announcement, following Brady Christensen, Dax Milne and Khyiris Tonga.

“To the greatest fan base in the world, thank you for the best 3 years of my life,” Wilson said. “On our own home turf, or on the road, there was no question that the Blue Wave would be fierce. BYU is a special place. I’m forever blue.”

Ironically, Wilson never thought he’d play for BYU as a kid. The Draper native grew up a hardcore Utah fan, but wasn’t recruited by the Utes. The Corner Canyon product was then going to play for Boise State, but eventually decided to play for the Cougars.

He got his first start in the latter half of the 2018 season and really showed the program and fans what he was capable of at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, when Wilson threw 317 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-18 passing.

Due to injuries, Wilson had an up and down 2019 season, but went on to have a breakout season in 2020.

Through the pandemic-stricken 2020 season, Wilson threw for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns while getting intercepted only three times and completing 73.5% of his passes. The junior also added 254 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores.

Wilson led the Cougars to an 11-1 record and a final CFP ranking of No. 16.

“To all my boys on the team and everyone else involved in my time here, without you, I am nothing,” Wilson said. “You never forget the ones that went to battle with you, they are part of you forever. Forever grateful to my line and receivers. The strength staff and training staff for their endless dedication to me.”