2013 NFL Draft: San Diego State TE Gavin Escobar declares

San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar feels he has gone as far as he can at the collegiate level, which is why he recently announced that he is forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.

This past season Escobar was a Mackey Award semi-finalist, and was the teams leading receiver with 42 receptions for 543 yards and six touchdowns. For his career he ended up with 1,646 receiving yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

Escobar made the decision after his initial NFL Draft evaluation came back to him saying he would be a third-round pick or higher. As a tight end it is harder to move up any higher in the draft board, so it made sense to skip his senior season.

Head coach Rocky Long obviously wanted Escobar to stay, but said it is ultimately up to the player:

"I never know if it's a good or bad decision. I let the young man and his family decide,' Long said. "I gave him my opinion and want him to make that decision.

"I told him we wanted him to come back, and the benefits of coming back, but families do a good job of deciding these things."

Of course Long would want one of his best offensive weapons for the 2013 season, and losing Esobar will hurt in the passing game.

Escobar is now prepping for the NFL Combine, and will do so in Florida until the February event in Indianpolis.