Two of the biggest names in college football have chosen to forego their senior year with their teams in order to declare for the 2014 NFL Draft.

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney have both announced their plans for the future, allowing those who have failed to make the post-season to start making plans.

Bridgewater - who is projected as a first-round selection and possibly the first signal caller that will be selected in the Draft - threw for 3,970 yards and a school-record 31 touchdowns this season, and is a likely target for the Houston Texans.

In a statement released by his school on Wednesday, he said: "This was an extremely difficult decision for me. I can't express how much my time at Louisville has meant to me. These past three years have allowed me to mature as a person and leave the university as a better person and with my degree in hand, which was one of my goals."

Six foot, six inch Clowney weighs in at 274 pounds is also expected to be a high first-round choice.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is yet to state his plans, with another year with his college not being ruled out.