LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky quarterback and former Mahoning Valley high school football star Lynn Bowden said on Twitter that “now is the time” to enter the NFL draft and noted he will make that move after the Wildcats face Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl.

Bowden starred at Liberty High School as a freshman and sophomore and helped the Leopards to the playoffs each season. He then transferred to Warren G. Harding as an upperclassman and led the Raiders to a pair of playoff appearances, reaching the regional final as a senior.

The former Trumbull County Player of the Year thanked Kentucky coaches, teammates and fans in a 1-minute, 45-second video of highlights posted on his verified Twitter account. A Kentucky football spokeswoman confirmed that Bowden will declare for the draft.

The 6-foot-1, 206-pound junior began the year at wide receiver and kick/punt returner before moving at midseason to quarterback because of injuries to two Kentucky starters. A former high school quarterback at both Liberty and Harding, Bowden rushed for a single-season school record 1,136 yards in seven games as the Wildcats’ QB and 1,235 overall with 11 touchdowns. Bowden was named to The Associated Press’ All-Southeastern Conference first team as an all-purpose player Monday.

He also led Kentucky in receiving with 348 yards and a TD on 30 catches. The Youngstown native called Kentucky “his forever home” in the video and added, “it won’t be easy to leave that.” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops also is a Youngstown native.