Corey Lemonier officially declares for NFL Draft

AUBURN — Defensive end Corey Lemonier will forgo his senior season at Auburn to enter the 2013 NFL draft, the school announced in a statement Monday night.

“This was a very difficult decision for me,” Lemonier said in a statement released by the Auburn athletic department. “I prayed a lot and felt this was the best for me to pursue this opportunity. I loved every minute of my time at Auburn and I’m very appreciative of my teammates, coaches and the entire Auburn family. It is sad to leave such a special place like Auburn, but ultimately I made a decision that was best for me and my family.”

ESPN’s Joe Schad was the first to report Lemonier, who had 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in an underwhelming junior season, was going to leave the Plains. Schad tweeted Lemonier sees himself as a third rounder right now, though ESPN’s Scouts Inc ranks him as the 24th-best available player in the NFL Draft.

In his initial draft projection, ESPN analyst Todd McShay has Lemonier as a late first round pick.

Earlier in the season, Lemonier, who was a second-team All-SEC selection by the coaches, said his decision of whether or not to return for his senior season would be based on his performance.

In the first four games of the season, Lemonier had 19 tackles and five sacks but his production dropped off steadily afterward as he regularly faced double teams, particularly with fellow defensive end Dee Ford limited due to an abdominal injury. The 6-foot-4 246-pound Haileah, Fla. native had just 19 tackles and a half a sack in the final eight games and did not start against Georgia or Alabama A&M.

“We appreciate Corey’s many contributions to the Auburn football program, both on and off the field, during his three years,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. “Corey is a class act and we wish him nothing but the best as he pursues his dream to play professional football.”