Jan. 5, 2009

Rice's James Casey, who broke the Conference USA season record for receptions this past year, has decided forego his final two years of collegiate eligibility and make himself available for the NFL Draft. Casey made his decision know to his coaches and teammates in a meeting at Rice Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Casey released the following statement regarding his decision: "After talking extensively with my wife and my family, I have come to the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I have decided to forgo my upcoming season as a Rice Owl and make myself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft.

"I have enjoyed every minute that I have spent at Rice University and would not trade my time here for anything in the world. I will be a Rice Owl until the day I die and feel truly blessed and honored to have been given the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university. I am confident that the Rice football program will continue to be successful and I will support the team in any way possible.

"I would like to give thanks to Coach David Bailiff for all of his help and guidance, and a special thanks to Coach Tom Herman and Coach Yancy McKnight for everything they have done to make my time at Rice a memorable experience. Without Coach Herman and Coach McKnight, there is no way I would be where I am today, and I have deep gratitude for everything they have done on my behalf. I would also like to extend appreciation to Coach Rick LaFavers, Coach Dan Hammerschmidt, Coach Blake Miller, Coach Darrell Patterson, Clint Haggard, Kelly Riccardi, and the rest of the Rice football coaching staff. Thanks also to our Athletic Director, Chris Del Conte, for his efforts in building a successful Rice football program, and a warm thanks to all the great Owl fans and alums.

"I am looking forward to this next challenge in my life and will carry the memories and experiences of my time at Rice University with me always." Casey finished second in the nation with 111 receptions to set a new conference record. He also finished second with 8.53 receptions per game. He set a Rice single-season record with 1,329 yards receiving, which ranked sixth in the nation. He was a consensus All C-USA pick, as well as earning third team All America mention from Rivals.com and Honorable Mention All America accolades from SportsIllustrated.com. He was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All America second team.

He completed his career at Rice with 157 receptions (third best at Rice), 1,914 yards (fourth best) and 17 touchdowns (third best), He caught at least one pass in the last 22 games, and had at least five catches in each of the last 19 contests. Casey led the team with seven games with at least 100 yards receiving this year, topped by a school-record 208-yard effort at Memphis, which earned him the first of three, C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors.