Associated Press
SEATTLE — Washington safety Taylor Rapp has declared for the NFL draft, giving up his final year of eligibility after being a second-team AP All-America selection.
Rapp’s decision, announced Wednesday, was expected after he received a high evaluation from the NFL College Advisory Committee. Rapp is expected to be an early-round selection.
Rapp, from Bellingham, was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection the past two seasons and was the conference’s defensive freshman of the year in 2016. He finished his junior season with 59 tackles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Rapp did not play in the Rose Bowl on Tuesday because of a hip injury suffered in the Pac-12 championship game and his absence was felt in the 28-23 loss to Ohio State.
“It’s pretty disappointing,” Rapp told The Seattle Times after the game. “I’m more disappointed for the seniors and for everyone who didn’t go out the right way. Obviously, I feel like being not being out there — it’s just very disappointing.”
Rapp was in full uniform during pregame warmups and said he wanted to play.
“I tried going pregame. It was a game-time decision and we all knew that. I tried giving it everything,” he said. “Just at the end of the day I didn’t feel like I was going to be effective out there. … It’s disappointing I couldn’t be out there on the field with my brothers.”
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