UNC defensive tackle Nazair Jones declares for 2017 NFL Draft

Nazair Jones (90) holds up a chain as the team walks out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game against Pitt.

Nazair Jones has declared for the 2017 NFL Draft.

The redshirt junior defensive tackle will forgo his final year of eligibility, a decision he announced Friday on Instagram.

The University of North Carolina has changed me so much since the first day I stepped on campus.Throughout my career, I have been with a family of brothers and found people that have become my closest friends. They know I have an amazing opportunity to play at the next level, so I have decided to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft and forgo my fifth year of NCAA eligibility. I want to thank our amazing coaching staff, support staff and an incredible fan base. I know Tar Heel nation will always have my back! We still have one more opportunity to finish 1-0 and cap this season off on a positive note. Let's go get one more "W" for the TAR HEEL NATION!!!

A photo posted by Naz Jones (@nazjones90) on Dec 9, 2016 at 11:01am PST

After redshirting his first year at UNC, the 6-foot-5 lineman from Roanoke Rapids, Virginia, led the Tar Heels in tackles for loss (7.5) in 2014. The next season, he was named to the All-ACC third team but missed the final game of the season, when North Carolina allowed a record-645 rushing yards to Baylor in a 49-38 loss.

This year, Jones again led the Tar Heels with 7.5 tackles for loss and finished fifth in total tackles (62) through 11 games — garnering All-ACC third-team honors for the second straight season.

“It’s been a pleasure coaching Naz throughout his career at UNC and watching him grow as a person both on and off the field,” Coach Larry Fedora said. “He has overcome great physical adversity and improved tremendously since he came into the program in 2013. This season he was the leader of our defensive line and someone everyone on the team respected."

"I believe he has a bright future in professional football if he continues to work hard and focus on being the best he can be.”

With his impressive frame and his productivity the past three seasons, Jones is seen as a potential high-to-mid round pick in the upcoming draft. The redshirt junior will have one more chance to improve his draft stock when the Tar Heels (8-4) face Stanford (9-3) in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Dec. 30.