Tulane RB Tyjae Spears declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax01/02/23

BarkleyTruax

Tulane star running back Tyjae Spears has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced via social media.

Spears ran for 205 yards and four touchdowns Monday against USC in a thrilling 46-45 Cotton Bowl classic. Named the 2022 AAC offensive Player of the Year, Spears rushed for 1,375 yards and 15 touchdowns this season along with 212 yards and two more scores through the air.

The senior running back passed the century mark on the ground in each of the last eight times for Tulane this season, including marks of 180+ in his final three games with the Green Wave.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.