Oklahoma defensive back CJ Coldon declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Oklahoma defensive back C.J. Coldon announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday evening that he’s officially declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. He racked up four interceptions and 27 tackles this year for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Check out his announcement below.

THE DAYS I’M LIVING IN TODAY ARE THINGS I PRAYED ABOUT A DECADE AGO.✨@OU_Football pic.twitter.com/LSnuMMw0D7

— CEA$ (@ALMIGHTYCEAS) January 5, 2023

His announcement reads, “I would like to begin this by thanking God for bringing me this far and for his continuous grace over my life and future advancement with football. Without him I am nothing. To my family and friends, your support throughout this journey has been most important. You guys are my why. Also, I want to give a special thank you to all of my supporters and coaches throughout my college football career. I want to thank the University of Wyoming. I’ve made some unbreakable bonds. I appreciate all my Cowboy brothers it’s always love. I want to thank my guy Coach John Richardson for taking a risk and welcoming a young black man to Wyoming treating me like family, and of course helping me with my development to jump start my college career.”

“To the University of Oklahoma, being thankful is a understatement. My time in Norman has been a blur, but the memories will last forever. I’m super grateful for my short tenure with OU. It has showed me a lot and I was able to learn things about the game and also myself. This year has been the best year yet of my college career! I appreciate the love everyone has showed me inside the building. Coach Jay Valai I have so much respect for you and the passion that you have for the game. Family for life. Sooner fans I love you guys I appreciate the love and support you guys constantly showed through the ups and downs. Sooner Nation will always have a special place in my heart forever. My brothers, I appreciate you guys accepting me. I’m thankful for the relationships I’ve built.”

“Although we didn’t have the year we wanted, we still chased the hard in the uncommon way and gave it our all every time we stepped on the field. Love you guys to death. I will always be a Sooner at heart! I am indebted to each and every one who has shared this journey with me. Having said that, I will be entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Boomer Sooner! C.J. Coldon“

His best season with the Wyoming Cowboys came during the 2021 season (his junior year), when he racked up 67 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and 10 passes defended.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.