After Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald heard the good news that quarterback Peyton Ramsey was going to return for another year in Evanston – taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA – he was hoping for the return of wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman as well.

On Tuesday, Fitzgerald got the news he was hoping wouldn’t come.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman announced over social media that he would enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Ramsey and Chiaokhiao-Bowman had been the strength of the Northwestern offense during the successful 2020 season.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman set career highs with 38 catches, 447 offensive yards, and five touchdowns and his three catches in the endzone during the Wildcats November win over Purdue helped to seal the less than one-score victory.

Northwestern’s win over Auburn in last week’s Citrus Bowl was the fourth straight bowl game win for the first time in team history, and was a fitting closing for retiring defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz’s 400th career victory.