Mizzou DE Ealy leaving early for NFL draft

Mizzou DE Ealy leaving early for NFL draft

Published Jan. 5, 2014 12:14 a.m. ET

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy is bypassing his senior season for the NFL draft.

Ealy said Friday night after the No. 9 Tigers' 41-31 win over No. 13 Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl that he felt it was time "to go on to the next level."

An All-SEC pick, the 6-foot-5 Ealy had six tackles and two sacks in his final game, pushing his season total to 9 1/2 sacks.

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"I love my teammates. I love my coaches," Ealy said. "I've gone from a boy to a man here."

He had 14 sacks in 38 career games for the Tigers.

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