Boston College running back AJ Dillon says he is skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft.

The junior announced his decision in a statement released Tuesday by the school. He will not play when BC meets Cincinnati in the Birmingham Bowl Jan. 2 in Alabama.

“Ever since I was a kid playing Pop Warner, it was always my dream to play in the National Football League,” Dillon said in the statement. “To have this opportunity now to go chase a childhood dream is all I could ever ask for."

Dillon departs as the Eagles' all-time leading rusher with 4,382 yards. His 38 career rushing touchdowns, 40 total TDs and 4,618 all-purpose yards are also program records. He finishes his career 227 yards shy of the Atlantic Coast Conference record for career rushing yards.

Dillon was named to the All-ACC first-team in 2019 for the third consecutive season.

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