As a redshirt sophomore, Jessie Bates III figured to be the centerpiece of Wake Forest’s defense for at least another season.
Friday, though, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety ended his career with the Deacons two years early by declaring his intention to enter the NFL draft. Bates made the announcement on his Twitter page, expressing his thanks to Wake Forest’s coaches and fans for helping him to “grow as a man, an athletes (and) a competitior.
“I’ve envisioned playing the National Football League my entire life and the opportunity has finally presented itself,” he wrote.
Bates ranked fourth on the Deacons this season with 79 tackles, including six for losses, with one interception, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. He was also an elite punt returner, as illustrated by his 59-yard return for a touchdown against Texas A&M in last month’s Belk Bowl victory.
Bates burst into prominence as a freshman last season when he picked off five passes, including two for touchdowns on his way to earning Freshman All-America honors. He was the runner up to Clemson’s Dexter Lawerence in the voting for ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
His place in the lineup will likely be filled by redshirt freshman Luke Masterson, who started two games this season while Bates was sidelined with a knee injury.
“We are excited and fully supportive of Jessie as he makes the next step in his football career,” Deacons coach Dave Clawson said in a statement. “We appreciate all that he did for Wake Forest football and wish him success at the next level.”
Bates is the third Wake Forest player to declare for the draft as an underclassman. Linebacker Jon Abbate declared following his junior season in 2006 and wide receiver Chris Givens left following his junior season in 2011. Givens was a fourth round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2012. Abbate signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.
