Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Michael Sam has announced that he is gay, just three months before taking part in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Sam, who made the public revelation during a television interview on Sunday, will become the first openly gay player in the history of the NFL if he is drafted in May.

The 24-year-old is expected to be chosen having been voted the Associated Press' SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2013, and he admits that he was "nervous" about making the move to come out.

"I am an openly, proud gay man. I'm not afraid to tell the world who I am. I'm Michael Sam: I'm a college graduate. I'm African American, and I'm gay. I'm comfortable in my skin," Sam told ESPN.

"I understand how big this is. It's a big deal. No-one has done this before, and it's kind of a nervous process, but I know what I want to be. I want to be a football player in the NFL."

Sam was also named as a first-team All-American for his performances last season.