Houston's Demarcus Ayers, Oklahoma's Zack Sanchez headed to NFL
After playing in bowl games on Thursday, both Houston wide receiver Demarcus Ayers and Oklahoma cornerback Zack Sanchez announced that they will not return to their teams in 2016.
Both are off to the NFL.
Ayers, who had nine catches for 82 yards and threw for a touchdown in the Cougars’ Peach Bowl win over Florida State, confirmed his decision to the Houston Chronicle.
“It was a very tough decision,” Ayers said. “Speaking to my family and everybody (Thursday) morning, everybody let me know, ‘D.A., go out with a bang.”
Ayers, a 5-foot-10, 178-pound junior, finished his season with 98 catches for 1,222 yards and six touchdowns. He also had 147 yards and a touchdown rushing and added a punt return score.
In his first two seasons at Houston, Ayers combined for 44 catches for 465 yards and three scores.
“Man, it’s been a long road, a long journey and I’m proud,” Ayers said. “I’m going to keep getting better, keep getting stronger, faster.”
Elsewhere, Sanchez, a three-year starter at corner and two-time All-Big 12 selection, announced his decision to forgo his senior season on Twitter on Friday morning.
Been on hell of a journey here ,I have decided forgo my senior year and enter the NFL draft ,Thanks you to everyone pic.twitter.com/H8G8mU972j
— Zack Sanchez (@ZSanchez15) January 1, 2016
Sanchez started 37 games for the Sooners over the past three seasons and led the Big 12 in interceptions in the past two seasons with six in 2014 and seven in 2015.
He registered his seventh interception of the season in Oklahoma's Orange Bowl loss to Clemson.
- - - - - - -
Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
