AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -Auburn defensive tackle Pat Sims said Tuesday he will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Sims was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference pick this season after making 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks.

``This was something that I carefully thought about and felt it was in my best interest to pass on my senior season at Auburn and make myself eligible for the NFL Draft,'' Sims said. ``It's always been a dream of mine to play at the next level and I believe this is the right time to pursue that goal.''

Sims was one of the Tigers' most high-profile recruits in 2004 but was redshirted and then didn't see any action in 2005.

As a junior, he emerged as a key part of an Auburn defense that finished sixth nationally in scoring and total defense.