Nebraska lost another start defensive tackle a year early to the NFL on Monday morning, as junior Vincent Valentine announced his decision to forego his senior season and declare for the 2016 NFL Draft.

There had been plenty of speculation regarding the 6-f0ot-3, 320-pound Valentine's future all season, and after teammates and fellow junior defensive tackle Maliek Collins announced he was leaving early for the NFL following the Huskers' win in the Foster Farms Bowl, Valentine said he was still weighing his options about whether to return for one final year in Lincoln or make the jump to the next level.

In a statement he released on Twitter Monday morning, Valentine said "playing in the NFL has been a lifelong dream & and I am so grateful for the opportunity."

Injuries limited the the Edwardsville, Ill., native to just 10 tackles this season. He posted 45 tackles with seven for losses and three sacks as a sophomore in 2014.