Kayvon Thibodeaux to declare for NFL draft, skip Oregon Ducks' bowl game

Star Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is declaring for the NFL draft, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.

Thibodeaux will not play in the Ducks' bowl game, a matchup against No. 16 Oklahoma in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29, and instead will start preparing for the draft, sources said.

Thibodeaux's early exit came on the same day Mario Cristobal left Oregon to take the head-coaching position at Miami.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Thibodeaux rated No. 1 overall in his latest Big Board. Fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has him as the No. 2-rated prospect in this year's draft class.