The 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end has declared for early entry into the 2013 NFL draft, Texas A&M announced on Sunday night.

Moore had a strong junior season, leading the Aggies in tackles with 80, finishing tied for third in the nation in sacks with 12.5 and tied for fifth in tackles for loss with 20. He was named a first-team All-American by several organizations, including ESPN.com, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America.

Moore was second on ESPN’s Todd McShay’s initial 2013 mock draft.

“Today is a sad moment and a happy moment,” Moore said in a statement. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, but I’ve loved my time representing the 12th Man and with my teammates at Texas A&M. Wherever I go, I will always be an Aggie at heart.”

Moore could become the third defensive lineman since 1970 to lead the Aggies in tackles if he finishes first in the category after the AT&T Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma on Friday. He would be the first since Sam Adams accomplished the feat in 1993. Moore also had eight quarterback hurries and two blocked kicks this season.

“I couldn’t be happier for Damontre as he pursues his professional dreams in the NFL,” Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said in a statement. “He’s been a great representative of Texas A&M University, as a student and a football player, and I know he will continue to be an ambassador for the university in everything he does in the future.”

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