With Monday the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft, linebacker Jon Abbate became the first player from Wake Forest ever to leave early.

 

The all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, who helped lead the Demon Deacons to the finest year in school history at 11-3 with an Orange Bowl appearance, told the Winston-Salem Journal he would give up his senior season and sign with an agent.

 

"It was one of those things that as an individual and as a team, we accomplished our goals," he told the paper for a story published Sunday. "We accomplished everything I thought I could and I thought the team could on a collegiate level. My family and I, we really think we're ready for the next step."

 

Abbate led the Deacons with 101 tackles.

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