He listened to advice and considered his options but to be truthful, his mind was made up: Marcus Harris wanted to go to the NFL.

The former Auburn defensive tackle was about three weeks removed from the final game of his best collegiate season when he announced he would forego his one remaining year of college eligibility and enter his name in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was a season where he earned first-team All-SEC honors with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss, both team highs.

So he listened to his mom, Pamela Blocton. He listened to his coaches — head coach Hugh Freeze, former defensive coordinator Ron Roberts and former defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett — and he confirmed what he had already believed: that now, the time was right.

“I did five years of college already,” Harris said told AL.com on Wednesday at the NFL Combine. “I just want to play at the best level there is.”

Harris spoke to reporters at the Combine about meetings he’s had with teams. He’s been through several already to the point where he didn’t remember the specifics of who he met with across several informal meetings. He did mention chats with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I kinda knew I was going to leave the whole time but, I was just hearing all the options and all the other advice before I made that decision because it’s a big decision,” Harris said. “I just got everybody’s advice and put it all into one thing and decided what was best for myself.”

Harris had the option to come back. But given his stats in 2023, it didn’t make sense. He opted out of Auburn’s Music City Bowl game against Maryland to protect his stock.

But in this modern age of NIL, Harris didn’t see enough of a financial opportunity to return to college relative to what could be in front of him in the NFL. Some college players have discussed returning to college for one more year being more lucrative than playing professionally.

To Harris, that wasn’t the case. He said money isn’t exactly his goal.

“I don’t really feel like it was a big difference because it was the same to me,” Harris said. “I just seen the players take their focus off football a little bit and just focus on money. That’s why you gotta have older leaders to tell them that hey, it’s not going to always last. You gotta perform to get the money and just let guys know it’s not about the money. It’s a bigger goal, trying to get to the NFL. Just let them know that the NIL money is not the end of it all, just try to get to the next level.”

Harris and teammate Justin Rogers are Auburn’s two defensive linemen at the NFL Combine. Harris’ absence in the Music City Bowl gave Auburn an immediate look at how it will replace the hole it has on the defensive interior.

Harris mentioned teammate Jayson Jones as the top option to take his spot. Jones started several games in 2023 alongside Harris. Other younger Auburn options include D.J. Reed and Harris’ younger brother, Malik Blocton.

Auburn opened spring practice Tuesday and will continue to reset its defensive rotational after losing four starters from 2023.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]