Washington Junior Safety Budda Baker Expected to Declare for 2017 NFL Draft

SEATTLE -- Washington junior starting free safety Budda Baker is expected to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, a source close to Baker told Rivals. Baker has not made an official decision but indications are he will make the leap, expected to be a potential late first-round pick in April's draft.

Baker led UW in total tackles this season with 71, while providing the foundation for the Huskies eventual path to its first CFB Playoff appearance in 2016.

Rated as a four-star athlete by Rivals out of Bellevue High School (Bellevue, Washington) and the No.61 overall prospect for the class of 2014, Baker flipped his commitment from Oregon to Washington late in the process and signaling the first major recruiting impact of Chris Petersen.

Should the Huskies star safety declare for the draft Baker would finish his career with five interceptions and an even 200 total tackles. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft is Jan. 16.