Illinois junior linebacker Martez Wilson said Monday he will enter the NFL draft.
"I know I can get better but I'm ready to make this move," Wilson said. "I can play inside or outside. I will be a versatile NFL player."
Wilson, 6 feet 4 and 250 pounds, said he will have a sports management degree in May.
"College has been a great experience and I've matured greatly. I appreciate what I have now and I've been making good decisions."
Wilson led Illinois with 112 tackles this season. The Chicago Simeon graduate also had four sacks and an interception in the kind of season Illinois has been waiting for since he came to Champaign in 2007.
Wilson sat out most of the 2009 season after having neck surgery. He was also stabbed before that season while reportedly helping a former teammate during a fight outside a bar.
Joe Schad is ESPN's college football reporter. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.