Illinois junior running back Chase Brown is entering the 2023 NFL draft and will not play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against No. 22 Mississippi State on Jan. 2, the school announced Friday.

Brown, ranked as the No. 9 running back in the draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., thanked his family, teammates, coaches and fans in a tweet announcing his decision.

“Through the high and lows, my time at Illinois has been the best experience of my life,” Brown wrote.