Jacksonville State free safety Pierre Warren is bypassing his senior season and entering the draft, the school announced Friday.
Warren (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) was a key figure on defense that helped the Gamecocks reach the quarterfinal round of the FCS playoffs. He finished with 76 tackles; five interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown; 12 pass breakups; three fumble recoveries; and a forced fumble.
Warren is athletic, has good size and runs well (4.53 in the 40). In four career games against FBS schools, including three SEC opponents, Warren had 22 tackles, a pass breakup and two fumble recoveries. Pre-draft workouts will be big for Warren, who seems likely to be a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.
"After talking to my family and Coach Bill] Clark, I think it's in my best interest to leave school early and enter the NFL draft," [Warren said in a prepared statement released by the school.
Warren, who was a two-year starter for Jacksonville State, was a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection this season.
Jacksonville State wide receiver Alan Bonner was a sixth-round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2013 draft; he was the first player selected from the school since 1991.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.