Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced Thursday that he’s leaving school a year early to enter the NFL Draft.
Vander Esch was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and nearly the MVP of the Las Vegas Bowl.
“It has been the honor of my life to play for the team I always grew up following,” the former walk-on from Riggins said. “... Because my love for Boise State runs so deep, this was the most difficult decision of my life. I feel now is the best time for me to pursue another childhood dream — playing in the National Football League .