Marcus Mariota Declares for 2015 NFL Draft: Latest Details and Reaction

Oregon Ducks star quarterback Marcus Mariota has played as well as any player at his position over the past two college football seasons. Mariota has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft.

Oregon announced the news of Mariota's decision on its website with a statement from the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner:

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After meeting with my family I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility and apply for the 2015 NFL Draft. My four years at the University of Oregon have been an awesome experience. I cannot thank Coach Kelly, Coach Helfrich, Coach Frost, the rest of the Oregon coaches and the support staff enough for molding me as a person, player and student-athlete.

The support I received from the University, the city of Eugene and Duck fans has been tremendous. I will always remember the great times and support I received. Once a Duck always a Duck.

I will miss being with my teammates. Being a part of this team was something special that I will always treasure.

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Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich added this, per the same release:

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It's been an honor to watch Marcus develop over the last four years, and I'm excited to see what his future holds. He's given this program everything we could have asked, and he'll be the standard by which others are judged. Mahalo.

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Mariota is a heavy favorite to be the first QB selected in the draft, with Florida State's Jameis Winston looming as his only legitimate competition.

That could mean Mariota is the No. 1 overall pick, which currently belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports is among those who believe Winston is the superior NFL option:

One potential pitfall that could slightly diminish Mariota's draft stock is that he comes from an uptempo, simplified spread system at Oregon. For those who believe he's a "system quarterback," Mariota doesn't appear to be fazed, per the New York Post's Steve Serby:

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I think any quarterback can play in any system. It just takes time to learn it, but if you're able to have the abilities to play the position, you'll find ways to make an offense work and make whatever system that is work.

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Mariota is listed at 6'4", 219 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. There hasn't been a dual-threat prototype quite like Mariota who comes to mind.

A 42-20 loss in the College Football Playoff National Championship to Ohio State left a shade of doubt as to whether Mariota would make the NFL leap. As tough as it had to be to make such a quick decision after the most disappointing defeat of his career, Mariota appears to have chosen wisely.

Past Super Bowl champion coach Tony Dungy believes Mariota has what it takes to shine at the professional level:

Boasting a blend of innate arm talent, a quick release, electrifying speed and a sturdy set of intangibles, Mariota has all the makings of taking the NFL by storm.

Smaller throwing windows, superior athletes and knowledge of schematics all loom large for Mariota as he makes this transition. However, an elite skill set gives Mariota the potential to be a transcendent player and a perennial Pro Bowler.