Blake Bortles of the UCF Knights has decided to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, so he has decided to leave school. / Getty Images
ORLANDO — After four years at UCF and three years on the playing field, redshirt juniors Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson announced their intention to declare for the NFL Draft on Monday.
While some can look at the NFL as a financial opportunity that they couldn’t turn down, for Bortles it was about the pursuit of his childhood dream.
“After a lot of deliberation and talking with my parents, I have decided to try and pursue my goal to play in the NFL, and try and go and capture my dream,” Bortles said.
Bortles had a meeting scheduled with head coach George O’Leary for Jan. 3 to discuss the possibility of entering the draft, and the quarterback said Sunday he informed O’Leary of his intention.
“From the UCF football program and the university, the only thing I was concerned about regarding this whole thing was that they both get their degrees, and they promised me they would. I think both have been a major positive for this program since they’ve been in it. Again, I’m sorry to see them go, but I’m happy for them,” O’Leary said.
Bortles has been projected to be one of the first players taken by numerous outlets, including being projected to go No. 3 overall in ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay’s first mock draft.
In what was their final game together in the UCF backfield, Bortles was named the Offensive Player of the Game and Johnson ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
“It was really a grueling process, and it was a tough decision. It’s a great decision, two great options,” Bortles said.
Bortles received positive feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board which, according to an Orlando Sentinel report, resulted in Bortles receiving a first-round grade. The Orlando Sentinel reported Johnson received a third-round grade from the board.
“I would like to thank my family of UCF; this has been a tough journey for me,” Johnson said. “I would like to thank my family because it was a hard decision to make, but I had to make the best decision for me.”
Johnson is listed at 6-foot, 215 pounds and said he would like to work out at the NFL Combine in February, and also the UCF Pro Day, which typically happens in March. Bortles is listed at 6-4, 230 pounds and also said he would be honored to work out at the combine.
“Would I like to have them back? Heck, yeah. Any coach would,” O’Leary said. “But again, you do nothing now but wish them well and represent UCF as best they can in the pros and the future up to the draft.”