Auburn, AL -- (Sports Network) - Auburn defensive tackle Pat Sims announced Tuesday he will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

This season, Sims started all 13 games and was named a first-team All- Southeastern Conference pick after recording 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks. He wrapped up the campaign in fine fashion, garnering Defensive MVP honors at the Chick-fil-A Bowl after finishing with four tackles, including three for a loss with one sack.

"This was something that I carefully thought about and felt it was in my best interest to pass on my senior season at Auburn and make myself eligible for the NFL Draft," Sims said. "It's always been a dream of mine to play at the next level and I believe this is the right time to pursue that goal."

Sims played in 27 games for the Tigers overall, notching 56 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 quarterback sacks.

"I had a great experience at Auburn and I'd like to thank Coach Tuberville, Coach Dunn, Coach Gran, Coach Yoxall and the remainder of the football staff for their support and helping make me the player and person that I am," Sims said. "I'm very appreciative to them for sticking with me through the good and bad times. I'll also miss my teammates and the great Auburn fans, who were my biggest supporters."