Cal’s Chad Hansen Declaring for NFL Draft After Breakout Year

After a huge 2016 season at Cal, Golden Bears’ wide receiver Chad Hansen has declared his intention to forego his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

In a statement on Wednesday, Chad Hansen announced that his breakout junior year would be his final year at Cal:

"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!"

Hansen began his college career with the Idaho State Bengals of NCAA Division I FCS in 2013. That year as a true freshman starter, he caught 45 passes for 501 yards and three scores. He was named an All-Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention.

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Hansen transferred after that 2013 season, but went through a lengthy battle with the school to be granted his release. Finally he was allowed to leave, and joined Cal’s football team as walk-on. He sat out the 2014 season per the NCAA’s transfer rules, and played sparingly for much of the early part of 2015.

The sophomore received more playing time as the year went on, and finished the regular season with 12 catches for 171 yards over the final three games. He also added his first touchdown catch as a Bear in the regular season finale against the Arizona State Sun Devils. In the Armed Forces Bowl against Air Force, Hansen caught two more passes for 30 yards. He finished the season with 19 grabs for 249 yards and one score.

As a junior, Hansen immediately became the top target for graduate transfer quarterback Davis Webb. With the receiving group gutted after the 2015 season as the top six receivers all moved on to the NFL, he stepped up and produced.

Hansen opened the season with back-to-back games of 14 receptions, worth a combined 350 yards and three scores. He caught 10 or more passes for over 100 yards in each of the first four games of the season.

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Even despite missing two games because of an ankle injury, Hansen turned in an extremely prolific season. In his first year as a starter, Hansen led the entire conference with 92 catches and 1,249 yards, and finished fourth with 11 touchdowns. He ranked third in the nation in receptions per game (9.2), and fourth in receiving yards per game (124.9).

Hansen finished the season with six games of 10 or more receptions, seven games of 100-plus yards, and four games of multiple touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named First-Team All-Pac-12 by ESPN and the Associated Press, and Second-Team All-Pac-12 by the league’s coaches.

Hansen is a solid mix of size and speed. He is a well-built receiver, standing at 6’3″ and weighing in just over 200 pounds. He also has the speed to run by, around, and away from defenders. One of his best assets is his body control, as he made a habit of making nearly impossible catches along the sidelines look routine.

The receiver joins his quarterback, Webb, and running back, Khalfani Muhammad, in the draft. There will likely be a competition between Webb and Hansen as to who is drafted first.

Next: Cal Earns First Conference W with Late Run

For your viewing pleasure, a highlight reel from Hansen’s junior year: