LSU’s junior edge rusher Arden Key is leaving the program early for the 2018 NFL draft, the All-American announced via twitter Thursday morning.
Key did not make the trip with the Tigers to Orlando, Florida, for the Citrus Bowl. 
After a record-breaking sophomore campaign with the Tigers, his final season was not as smooth sailing. During the 2016 season, Key set the single-season school sack record (12). 
Key is a projected first round pick, despite missing five games in the 2017 season. He missed the first two and final two games of the regular season due to injuries. Key was recovering from a shoulder surgery in the beginning of the season that he underwent in the spring and also took a leave from the team for personal reasons. 
Freshman outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and redshirt freshman Ray Thornton rotated in place of Key and are expected to fill his void next season.