Wide receiver Paul Richardson dodges CSU defender Aaron Davis at the 2013 Rocky Mountain Showdown. (James Bradbury/CU Independent File)

CU’s First Team All Pac-12 junior wide receiver Paul Richardson officially announced his plans to enter this year’s NFL draft on Monday, Dec. 2.

Richardson’s announcement comes just days after he was named CU’s 2013 Most Valuable Player as well as Colorado’s first player to earn All Pac-12 Conference honors.

“The position I’m in right now as well as the position of my family and the fact I had coach Mac’s support helped make the decision for me,” Richardson said at Monday’s press conference.

Richardson, who demolished several of Colorado’s longstanding receiving records this year, including single season receiving yards and receptions, will be missed next year, and head coach Mike MacIntyre ultimately gave Richardson an appreciative and positive goodbye.

“I definitely wanted him to stay, but ultimately it’s the kid and the family’s decision to make,” MacIntyre said. “He was very professional. He did everything the correct way and I wish him the very, very best, and I’m thankful for what he did for us here.”

Richardson missed the 2012 season after suffering a torn ACL in spring practices that season, which factored into his decision. After four hard years at CU, Richardson decided the risk of another college injury and the current projections of him being a solid NFL wide receiver made the draft the best option for him.

MacIntyre, who has five years of coaching experience in the NFL, said Richardson must add weight and strength to help him make it to the next level.

“He definitely needs to get some more size on him for durability factors,” MacIntyre said. “If he puts the right type of muscle on, he’s not going to lose any speed. He might gain even more speed.”

Richardson has had MacIntyre’s help throughout the decision-making process and will continue to seek his advice.

“He will help me in the process,” Richardson said. “There’s nothing I’m going to do that he won’t be a part of . . . I let him know how much I respected him as a coach and as a man.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Grayson O’Roark at Grayson.Oroark@colorado.edu.