BERKELEY – Wide receiver Chad Hansen announced Wednesday that he intends to forego his senior season at Cal and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. The former Cal walk-on racked up some of the top receiving numbers in the nation during a breakout 2016 junior campaign when he was selected first-team All-Pac-12 by the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, ESPN.com and Phil Steele. He was also a second-team All-Pac-12 pick of the league's coaches.

"Chad played a significant role in our offensive success last season and was certainly one of the top receivers in the nation," head coach Sonny Dykes said. "He has worked hard to put himself in this position, and I know it wasn't an easy decision for him to make. We're certainly going to miss Chad, but I'm excited for him and this opportunity. He has a skill set that will translate well to the NFL."

Hansen ranks third in the country in per-game receptions (9.2) and fourth in receiving yards (124.9) heading into Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship. He is also 11th nationally in receptions (92), 17th in receiving yards (1,249) and tied for 22nd in touchdown receptions (11). His total receptions and receiving yards both rank third on Cal's all-time single-season list.

Hansen, who earned midseason All-American honors from ESPN and Sports Illustrated, finished his junior campaign with seven 100-yard receiving games and six contests of 10 or more catches. He had a career-high 196 yards receiving and two touchdown catches on 12 receptions vs. Texas to earn Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors, as well as 14 catches against Hawai'i in the season opener when he earned College Football Sydney Cup MVP honors.

Cal will return six of its top eight receivers from a year ago in 2017 led by freshman All-American Demetris Robertson, who was second on the team behind Hansen with 50 receptions, 767 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches.
 
Chad Hansen Statement
"After serious consideration and countless discussions with my family, teammates and coaches, I have decided to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Competing in the NFL has always been among my highest goals and I believe the time to pursue this opportunity is now. This was an extremely difficult decision to make – my time at Cal has been amazing. I would like to thank the University of California, Berkeley for providing the best education in the country. I'd also like to thank coach Dykes, coach Spavital and our entire football staff for believing in me and preparing me for this next step. I thank my teammates for the memories and friendships that we have created together. And thank you to everyone who has stood by Cal football and provided us such great support. I will never forget the experiences and I am extremely grateful for everything I have gained during my time at Cal. Go Bears!"