ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Blake Bortles, considered one of the top quarterback prospects for the upcoming NFL draft, announced Monday he is leaving Central Florida a year early.
Bortles, who would be a senior next season, was selected the 2013 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after leading the 15th-ranked Knights to a 12-1 season that included a 52-42 Fiesta Bowl win over No. 5 Baylor.
Bortles completed 20-of-31 passes for 301 yards and rushed for 93 more yards while accounting for four touchdowns in the Fiesta Bowl. For the year he was 259-of-382 passing for 3,581 yards and 25 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
The 22-year-old, 6-foot-4, 230-pounder started at quarterback for two seasons at Central Florida, building a 22-5 record. He ends his career with the Knights having passed for 7,598 passing yards and 56 touchdowns.
Central Florida junior running back Storm Johnson, who rushed for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns on 213 carries last season, also on Monday announced his intention to make himself available in the NFL draft.
