LSU junior wide receiver Brandon LaFell followed up Wednesday’s ESPN reports that he would enter the NFL draft with an official declaration of his own Thursday afternoon.LaFell, a 2008 Associated Press first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, confirmed Thursday that he will enter his name into April’s draft. But LaFell said he will not hire an agent, which allows him to change his mind within 72 hours of his announcement.”LSU is a great place,” LaFell said in a news release. “It’s a place that has given me the opportunity to grow both as a person and a player. I’ve been a part of some great teams and had some great teammates, and it’s a place I’m going to miss.”LSU coach Les Miles said in the release he will miss LaFell greatly. “The choice to come back to school or enter the NFL draft is a very personal decision,” Miles said. “We support the decision Brandon has made, and we will do whatever we can to help him during this transition from college to the NFL. Brandon’s contributions to this football team have been very significant, and it’s something we are going to miss.” Those contributions include 63 receptions, 929 yards and eight touchdowns last season — all team highs. The eight receiving touchdowns tied for most in the SEC. NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier said the Houston native isn’t assured of being a first-round pick, but with a good showing at workouts, he could potentially increase his stock. “Brandon sees an opportunity here where a less than stellar senior class are in workouts, and he could bump himself up to the latter part of round one,” Detillier said. “I would give him a second-round pick grade.”Detillier said LaFell’s size — 6-foot-3-inches and 210 pounds — also gives him an advantage in the draft.LaFell amassed 118 receptions for 1,725 yards and 18 touchdowns during his three-year career at LSU. HATCH TO HARVARDMiles announced on Thursday that sophomore quarterback Andrew Hatch will transfer back to Harvard, where he played his true freshman season. Hatch walked on to the Tigers in summer 2007 and played in six games last season with three starts. He suffered a concussion against Auburn, and his season ended with a lower leg injury Oct. 25 against Georgia.”I plan on returning to Harvard … to continue my studies,” Hatch said in a news release. “I have had an outstanding experience at LSU and feel grateful to have been a part of such a proud tradition.”Miles said Hatch was a valuable part of the LSU offense when he was in the lineup.”Don’t underestimate what Andrew Hatch did for our football team in 2008,” Miles said. “He filled a void for us at quarterback in 2008, and his play on the field allowed us to start the season off on a positive note. Andrew has a bright future, and we wish him continued success both on the field and in the classroom.”MEET AND GREETLSU will hold a press conference today at 1 p.m. to introduce the team’s new defensive staff.Miles, defensive coordinator John Chavis, secondary coach Ron Cooper and defensive line coach Brick Haley will be attending.Chavis spent 14 seasons as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. Cooper is a former secondaries coach at South Carolina and head coach at Louisville. Haley spent the last two seasons at defensive line coach with the Chicago Bears.——Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]