10:03 pm | July 27, 2018 | Go to Source | Author: Graham Hall
To say it’s been a busy summer for 2020 Eastside quarterback Anthony Richardson might be an understatement.
The offseason has seen Richardson, a 6-foot-4 rising junior quarterback prospect from Eastside High in Gainesville, attend multiple Power 5 camps, including the likes of Clemson, Miami (Fl.) and Florida State. But the hometown Gators have stayed in contact with Richardson daily, leading the rising prospect to attend Friday Night Lights and throw for UF’s coaching staff.
Before attending the camp, Richardson sat down with the Gainesville Sun to discuss his recruitment and recap the summer.
“Mainly I just worked on passing, trying to get better on that,” Richardson said. “Maintain my speed while I’m getting bigger as well. So just focusing on getting better, really.”
With the opportunity to throw in front of the likes of Dabo Swinney, Mark Richt and Dan Mullen came criticism and feedback — which Richardson said he took to heart and worked on employing in his game.
“They were saying just keep throwing how I’m throwing, but just use my legs more,” Richardson said. “Just stay compact while I throw and just keep working.”
Richardson didn’t single out a program’s camp as the most helpful, but rather he was able to take aspects from each and get a complete analysis of his game. Yet throwing in multiple camps doesn’t come without negative feedback, which Richardson experienced both on social media and in person.
“Although I didn’t do my best for some of the camps, I still worked my hardest. And some of the coaches said they still liked what I did,” Richardson said.
Proud to receive an offer from the University of Florida! @CoachjDavis44 @Coach_Daniels58 @GatorsFB #GoGators pic.twitter.com/KDEENm0KeX
— Anthony Richardson (@GVOaant) May 17, 2018
A naturally soft spoken yet confident person, Richardson has seen his stature grow around Gainesville and in college football recruiting circles in less than a year — something he’s still adjusting to.
“They’ve changed a lot. My name has gotten really big around the city. I’m just happy for it,” Richardson said. “I’m not a talkative person, but when I have to talk, I’ll speak up and do what I have to do.”
And he’s not someone you’ll hear barking in the huddle either.
“I don’t really talk. Period. I just show up and do what I have to do,” he said.
After Friday Night Lights, Richardson will turn his focus to his junior campaign at Eastside, where the Rams will look to improve upon a 5-4 finish in 2017.
“This team I’m with now, we went to middle school together, so we’re really close,” Richardson said. “We just have that bond, we’ve always had that bond. We just know each other and have fun.”
As for personal expectations? Richardson wants to lead the Rams back to the playoffs.
“I just hope to have a great season, go to the playoffs, probably go to state,” Richardson said. “But just have fun this season.”
As for his recruitment, it’s something Richardson will focus more on after the season. He said he plans to make a decision in his senior year, possibly before the season, although he doesn’t have a leader. However, Richardson did reveal the Gators coaching staff talks to him as much as any program currently recruiting him.
When it comes to FNL, Richardson is focused on two things: having fun and improving.
“Just have fun, talk to the coaches, meet some new people,” Richardson said. “And compete with all the other quarterbacks.”
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