Alabama football linebacker Christian Harris declares for 2022 NFL Draft

Alabama football linebacker Christian Harris declared for the 2022 NFL Draft on Monday, announcing he will skip his senior season with the Crimson Tide.

Harris announced his decision on his Instagram. He thanked coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding for their coaching in his statement.

"Being a student-athlete at the University of Alabama has molded me not only as a football player, but as a man able to succeed in whatever I set out to accomplish," Harris said in his statement. "After carefully weighing my options with my family, I know I am ready to accomplish my next goal."

Harris had 79 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks while helping to lead an Alabama defense that allowed 20.1 points a game, third in the SEC.

Harris earned the starting linebacker position his freshman year. He has had 221 tackles in three season at the Crimson Tide. He has added 27 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and has forced four turnovers. He helped lead Alabama to the 2020 national championship.

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Harris is listed as the No. 3 ranked inside linebacker on ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s 2022 NFL Draft rankings.

Harris joined the Crimson Tide as a four-star recruit from Baton Rouge. He was rated the third-best player in the 2019 class out of the state of Louisiana.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football linebacker Christian Harris declares for NFL draft