On Tuesday, the redshirt Michigan sophomore took to Twitter to announce he intends to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan's Jalen Mayfield declares for 2021 NFL Draft

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/18/20

On Monday, Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour said that she does not believe the Big Ten will reverse its decision to postpone the football season through at least the end of the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That may have been all Michigan offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield needed to hear.

On Tuesday, the redshirt sophomore took to Twitter to announce he intends to enter the 2021 NFL Draft:

FOREVER GO BLUE〽️ pic.twitter.com/eaJBmQBIDV
— Jalen Mayfield (@jay_may_11) August 18, 2020

Football schedules for a majority of bodies, including the Big Ten and NFL, remain up in the air because of the uncontrolled virus outbreak that could cause the conference to cancel football until the fall of 2021 and could push NFL dates back by weeks or months.

The Big Ten hasn't yet announced a definitive schedule or plan for a springtime format, and the NFL will likely move the draft back as far as possible if some of the bigger college programs in the country are in action as late as mid-May.

As ESPN's Tom VanHaaren explained, Mayfield, 20, impressed during his one season as a starter at right tackle for the Wolverines. In a mock drafted updated on June 22, CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson projected Mayfield will be a first-round selection.

On July 30, Walter Football had Mayfield going as high as eighth overall in next year's draft class. Charlie Campbell of that same site praised the tackle in June:

"Mayfield really impressed with me how he played against Chase Young at the end of the 2019 season. In plenty of one-on-one matchups, Mayfield got the better of Young. Mayfield has good size to him with athletic upside. On top of being a solid pass protector, Mayfield did well in the ground game. He is a prospect to watch with the potential to rise."

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