Middle Tennessee State’s star receiver Richie James will enter the 2018 NFL Draft

Middle Tennessee State receiver Richie James will forgo his senior season to enter his name in the 2018 NFL Draft. He is projected as a late-round pick.

James came out of Sarasota, Florida, as a three-star recruit and blossomed into one of the most explosive players in the country. As a freshman, James had 107 catches for 1,334 yards and eight touchdowns. In his sophomore year James was even better, with 105 catches for 1,625 yards and 12 touchdowns, while adding 339 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

As a junior many expected James to be the same explosive receiver but unfortunately an ankle injury derailed his season. In just five games this year, James had 31 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

James owns the record for most receiving yards in MTSU history with 3,249 yards, most receptions with 243, and most touchdown catches with 23. He leaves Murfreesboro as the best receiver in Middle Tennessee State history and one of the best players to play in Conference USA.