It's official: Heisman winner RG3 jumping to NFL

"Get on E-bay, Barney socks just went up," Briles said. "Get them now."

Griffin arrived at Baylor as a 17-year-old freshman in January 2008 after graduating from high school a semester early. He completed an undergraduate degree in political science in December 2010 and has been working on his master's degree in communications, which he said he will complete with a thesis either this spring or summer.

Baylor's career passing leader completed 800 of 1,192 passes (67 percent) for 10,366 yards with 78 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. His 2,254 yards and 33 TDs rushing are records for a Bears quarterback.

He had another season of eligibility remaining because he got a medical redshirt after he tore the ACL in his right knee in the third game of the 2009 season. He said any fear of getting hurt again had no impact on his decision to leave.

Griffin completed 291 of 402 passes (72 percent) for 4,293 yards and 37 TDs with only six interceptions this season, when he also ran for 699 yards and 10 more touchdowns. He was the nation's second-most efficient passer with a 189.48 rating, just behind Wisconsin's Russell Wilson, whose 191.78 rating came with 93 fewer pass attempts.

"We definitely brought a lot of excitement here to Baylor that's been warranted for a long time," he said. "We've gotten to new heights at Baylor that haven't been seen in a long time, but the climb isn't over. ... I will always be a Baylor Bear, no matter what."