UCF quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Storm Johnson say they will forgo their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft.

Both players made their announcements Monday during a news conference. The juniors saw their draft stock rise this season as they led the Knights to their first 12-1 finish and upset of heavily favored Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.

"It was really a grueling process," Bortles said. "It was a tough decision. Two great options. I sat down with my family and came to the decision that I wanted to pursue my dream (of playing in the NFL)."

Bortles, a local product out of Oviedo High School, was instrumental throughout the run, throwing for more than 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, while completing 68 percent of his passes. He was recruited by many as a tight end out of high school. UCF was the only school to offer him as a quarterback.

"That (the NFL) was never a thought," Bortles said. "Always a dream, but never a reality...the success we were able to have this year really helped everybody out."

Johnson rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first year as the starter. The South Georgia native transferred to UCF from Miami, taking over the starting role this year after Latavius Murray's graduation.

"This was a dream of mine since I first touched a football when I was 6 years old," Johnson said.

Bortles sought a rating from the NFL Draft Advisory Board and reportedly received a first-round grade. Some projections list him as one of the top quarterbacks available in the draft.

"I said if you had a burning desire to go to the NFL, then go," George O'Leary said. "That's what they're both doing...all I want to make sure is they get their degree."

O'Leary said at the press conference 11 NFL teams graded Johnson, while eight graded Bortles. Both have until Jan. 15 to withdraw their names from the draft, if they change their minds.

"Would I like to have them back? Heck yeah," O'Leary said. "Any coach would, but you wish them well."

Bortles was 22–5 as the starting quarterback for the Knights from 2011-13. He threw for 3,581 yards, with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. He also had 272 rushing yards and an additional six scores on the ground. In Wednesday's win over Baylor, Bortles threw for 301 yards and ran for 93 more, accounting for four total touchdowns. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.

Several NFL scouting services rate Bortles as a potential first round pick in May's NFL Draft, which would net the quarterback millions. ESPN's Todd McShay has projected Bortles as the second-best college quarterback that's draft-eligible.

With Bortles' departure, UCF is left with just three quarterbacks on scholarship, true freshman Justin Holman and Pete DiNovo. Peach County (Ga.) quarterback Tyler Harris officially enrolled Sunday, as well. Bortles said he's a phone call away if any of those guys need help.

"I know (offensive coordinator) Coach Taaffe and Coach O'Leary will do a great job preparing them," Bortles said. "...you have to be a we guy, not a me guy. Really earning the respect of the huddle from your teammates."

The first round of the NFL Draft takes place on May 8 in New York. It will be broadcast live on ESPN.

"I'd like to thank UCF," Bortles said, "and couldn't be more proud to say I played at UCF."