Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Middle Tennessee's Richie James plans to enter NFL draft

Published Dec. 18, 2017 2:55 p.m. ET

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) Middle Tennessee wide receiver Richie James has tweeted that he will bypass his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

James tweeted that, ''I am excited about the work in front of me but know I leave MTSU better than when I came.''

Although James' Twitter account is unverified, Middle Tennessee athletic department spokesman Mark Owens confirmed that it does belong to James.

After posting back-to-back seasons with over 100 catches in 2015 and 2016, James played just five games this year due to injuries. The 5-foot-9 junior led all active Football Bowl Subdivision players in career catches (244) and ranked third in career yards receiving (3,261).

Middle Tennessee (7-6) closed its season Saturday with a 35-30 victory over Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl.

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