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It's a decision that everybody knew was coming, but Leonard Fournette made it official on Monday: He is leaving LSU early to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Fournette announced his decision by posting a letter to LSU supporters on Twitter.

"I sit and reflect, as I pen this letter, on my journey as a Tiger," Fournette wrote. "I think about how you all supported me, even before I made the official announcement that I would attend LSU, and I am forever grateful for your continued support throughout both my high school and college careers. You all have watched me grow from a teenager to a young man and were even there for the birth of my daughter, Lyric.

"When I decided to attend LSU and major in Human Resources, I also had hopes of winning a National Championship. Things did not go as I planned, but when I consider the passion and commitment of the LSU fans, coaches and my teammates, I am still very grateful for my experience here."

Fournette's message goes on to call 2016 "a very trying season" and says he will do everything in his power to make sure he can play in the Citrus Bowl against Louisville, but that it will be his last game with the Tigers.

Fournette entered the 2016 season as a Heisman Trophy favorite, but he wasn't able to live up to that hype this year because of injury. He finished the 2016 regular season with 843 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. He's rushed for 3,830 yards and 40 touchdowns in his three-year career with LSU.

He's projected as a first-round pick in the draft this spring.