The LSU Tigers will need a new starting wide receiver next season, as junior Malik Nabers has officially declared for the NFL Draft.
In an Instagram post, Nabers confirmed Saturday’s news: “First and foremost, I wanna thank God for blessing me and putting me in this position. I want to thank my mom, Tonya Nabers; you have been my inspiration, my why I go hard every day, why I can never give up, because every day of your life you never gave up. LOVE YOU more than you know. I want to thank family, friends, high school coaches, etc, who have stood beside me through thick and thin. We have faced every obstacle they have thrown at me together.
“To Coach Hankton and Coach Carter, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of men to surround myself with and learn from. Coach Carter, you laid everything on the line for me. I know you’re very proud of me, and I will continue to keep that chip on my shoulder like you always told me to!! To Coach Hankton, where do I even start? Our relationship has grown tremendously over these two years. You’ve always been that person I come talk to when I’m goin’ through something and always give me the best advice. I couldn’t ask for a better coach, role model, or idol to help me on this journey.
“Tiger Nation (best fans in the world). The moment I stepped foot on that grass in that stadium, it was electric! From screaming my name running onto the field, when big plays were made, or from storming the field after a big win in the stadium!! Y’all already knew I was gonna always be the first person at the student section to get the stadium live. With that being said, I have decided to take the next step in my career and declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. I will truly miss spending that Saturday night with (you) in Death Valley, where dreams come to die, but mine came true.
“FOREVER LSU.”
In three seasons with the Tigers, Nabers went above and beyond as he rewrote the record books during his time in Baton Rouge. He hauled in the most receptions in school history with 189, is first all-time amongst Tigers with 3,003 receiving yards, and his 21 career touchdowns are seventh in LSU history behind Dwayne Bowe (26), Brandon LaFell (25), Justin Jefferson (24), Brian Thomas Jr. (24), Ja’Marr Chase (23) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (23).
In his final season with the Tigers, the Biletnikoff finalist, he caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards with 14 touchdown receptions.
It’s expected that he will be one of the most highly regarded wide receivers selected in the upcoming draft, which is set to take place in April. He would probably be considered the top wide receiver in any other draft class. Still, unfortunately, he will be competing against Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State) and Rome Odunze (Washington) in this class.