FAYETTEVILLE — Hunter Henry and Denver Kirkland will forego their final seasons at Arkansas and enter the NFL draft, they announced Monday.
Henry won the 2015 John Mackey Award as the top tight end in the country and finished the season with 51 receptions for 739 yards and three touchdowns.
"After a great deal of prayer and reflection, I have made the very difficult decision to pursue my childhood dream and enter the 2016 NFL Draft," Henry wrote in the letter on the UA athletics website.
"I have grown so much as a person and player these past three years at the University of Arkansas. I have enjoyed my experience more than I could have ever imagined."
During three seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 116 passes for 1,661 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned SEC all-freshman honors in 2012 and was a unanimous all-American in 2015.
In the Razorbacks' 53-52 overtime win over Ole Miss, Henry made one of college football's plays of the year, throwing the lateral to Alex Collins that kept their overtime drive alive.
He is projected to be the first tight end selected in the draft.
Kirkland started his final 34 games with the Razorbacks, including all 13 games at left tackle this season.
He was a freshman all-American in 2012 and is rated as the No. 5 offensive guard in the draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
"After much thought, prayer and consultation with my family, I have decided to forego my senior year and take the next step toward fulfilling my lifelong goal of playing in the NFL," Kirkland said in a tweet. "The last three years at UofA (have) given me the opportunity to develop as a scholar, athlete and as a person. For that I am forever grateful."
Running back Alex Collins is expected to make his announcement after meeting with coach Bret Bielema this week.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Jan. 18.
Editor's Note: The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft was originally written as Jan. 15, but that is incorrect. It has been fixed.
After a great deal of prayer, I've made the difficult decision to enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
Forever A Razorback » https://t.co/nQ7p4HavJI
— Hunter Henry (@Hunter_Henry84) January 4, 2016#RazorbackNation I love you!! Forever a razorback... #blessed to receive this opportunity.. pic.twitter.com/txtkpvGBI8
— 55 (@15HARLEM_BOSKI) January 4, 2016