2018 NFL draft early entrants - Jan. 3 (Updating)

The Jan. 15 deadline for underclassmen to decide if they want to return to college or declare for the 2018 NFL draft is fast approaching. With bowl season in the rear-view mirror and only the College Football Playoff title game remaining for the 2017 season, decisions from prominent players will be coming out left and right in the coming days.

This year, we’ll have a post (in addition to some individual posts about certain players) every day (leading up to the deadline) — updated throughout the day — with the players who decide to pursue professional football.

Previously: Jan. 2

Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn

The 6-foot, 235-pound Pettway was a first-team All-SEC selection for Auburn in 2016 when he rushed for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns. Pettway had 305 yards and six touchdowns in five games this season while dealing with injuries. He was later sidelined for the season after suffering a fractured shoulder blade against Arkansas on Oct. 2.

Rashaan Gaulden, DB, Tennessee

The versatile Gaulden had 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, an interception and three forced fumbles for Tennessee as a redshirt junior, playing primarily at nickel cornerback. For his career, Gaulden totaled 137 tackles.

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Jackson came out of nowhere to become an All-American for Iowa in 2017. He entered the season with one career start and ended it as a consensus All-American and Jim Thorpe Award finalist. Jackson’s three-interception performance in Iowa’s upset over Ohio State earned him national acclaim, and he followed it up with two more picks, both returned for touchdowns, against Wisconsin. He finished the year with eight interceptions in all, the most in the country.

Ryan Izzo, TE, Florida State

After three years as Florida State’s top tight end, redshirt junior Ryan Izzo is moving on to the NFL. He finished his collegiate career with 54 catches for 761 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 15.9 yards per reception this season.

Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn

Carlton Davis was a three-year starter for the Tigers and had 36 tackles, 11 pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble this year, earning first-team All-SEC honors. For his career, Davis had 136 tackles and four interceptions. He is the second Auburn player to declare, joining running back Kerryon Johnson.

JoJo Wicker, DL, Arizona State

Wicker, a 6-foot-3, 273-pound defensive lineman, was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection this season. He finished the year with 42 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks, bringing his career total to 102 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford

The 6-foot-6, 242-pound Schultz is hoping to become the next Stanford tight end to succeed at the next level. Schultz caught 55 passes for 555 yards and five touchdowns during his Stanford career.

Kolton Miller, OL, UCLA

Miller, a 6-foot-8, 310-pound left tackle, bounced back from a 2016 foot injury to start every game this season for UCLA as one of the key cogs on an offensive line that protected quarterback Josh Rosen. Rosen, if he declares, is projected by some as a potential No. 1 pick. Miller could join Rosen as a first-round pick.

Korey Robertson, WR, Southern Miss

Robertson’s junior season put him in the Southern Miss record books. His 76 receptions is the second-most for a season in program history. Those 76 catches included 12 touchdowns and went for 1,106 yards. In three years, he totaled 127 catches for 1,743 yards and 18 touchdowns.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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