Erik Bacharach | Daily News Journal

Erik Bacharach/DNJ

Brent Beerends/MTSU Athletics

Richie James has turned his focus to the NFL.

A day after MTSU knocked off Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl, the MTSU wide receiver announced via Twitter on Sunday that he was declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft.

"These last four years have been a long journey," the junior wrote, "with twist and turns that have helped me grow and develop into a player ready to compete at the next level."

As far as his NFL prospects, the knock on James has always been his 5-foot-9, 176-pound frame. But he has compensated with electric speed, terrific hands and what MTSU wide receivers coach Austin Silvoy earlier this season described as a rare "savviness" when it comes to playing wide receiver.

At the collegiate level, the Sarasota, Fla. native was practically unstoppable when he was healthy.

James owns the MTSU career records in catches (244), receiving yardage (3,261) and receiving touchdowns (23). His junior season, though, was derailed by injuries. A high-ankle sprain kept him out three games in the middle of the season before a broken collarbone forced him to miss the last five games of the season.

Forgoing his senior year of college, James wrote, was not an easy decision.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

"Middle Tennessee State will always have a part of me," he wrote. "The best decision I ever made was to be apart of a great program that has a legend at Head Coach."

James thanked MTSU coach Rick Stockstill, president Sidney McPhee, athletic director Chris Massaro, the Blue Raider Athletic Association and the fans before ending his note with "#ForeverABlueRaider."