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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No extra pregame backflips. No extra lodge dances. No extra pointless hits.
Anthony Richardson is now Florida’s unchallenged – and nonetheless unproven — beginning quarterback, a budding star who’s already grow to be a well-liked identify discovered close to the highest of a number of 2023 NFL mock drafts.
He’s massive. He’s quick. He’s received arm expertise. He’s sensible. He’s polished. He’s a hometown hero who grew up in Gainesville and is keen to take over a coveted job in entrance of longtime pals and beloved relations.
He’s every part the rebuilding Gators want and every part opposing defenses worry. He simply wants to remain heathy, one thing he didn’t do as a backup final season.
“It’s all the time been a fear of mine,” Richardson stated just a few days earlier than Florida opens the season towards No. 7 Utah. “It’s not a superb feeling when you may’t contribute to the group, not being wholesome, as a result of I hate being damage, all people does.”
The 6-foot-4, 232-pound Richardson flashed in a backup position behind Emory Jones final season, working wild towards Florida Atlantic and South Florida earlier than a hamstring harm sidelined him two video games.
He received his lone begin in late October towards Georgia’s generational protection. However he turned the ball over 3 times in a two-minute span late within the second quarter after which sustained a concussion after halftime.
He was scheduled to return the next week at South Carolina however tweaked his proper knee dancing within the group lodge the night time earlier than the sport and was scratched. He was again in motion three weeks later towards Florida State and rallied the Gators to a victory. However he was completed for the season following arthroscopic knee surgical procedure two weeks later.
His season can greatest be described as a promising profession begin that by no means actually discovered a rhythm due to repeated setbacks.
Nonetheless, Richardson has drawn comparisons to 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Richardson welcomes the flattery as a result of Newton was his idol rising up.
“Truthfully, it feels nice,” Richardson stated. “He’s been my favourite since like fifth, sixth grade. Simply to be in comparison with him, it makes me really feel good. It makes me really feel like I’m doing one thing proper. … They suppose I’m going to be simply nearly as good as him, so hopefully I can do this and present folks what I can do.”
Richardson completed with simply six landing passes and 5 interceptions final season. He additionally ran for 3 scores.
First-year Florida coach Billy Napier has been fast to mood rising expectations surrounding the centerpiece of his offense.
“I do know all of us need to put a crown on his head,” Napier stated. “The man has accomplished 33 passes in his profession. The good quarterbacks on the College of Florida, they compete 33 in a single recreation, so I believe we’ve received work to do there.”
It begins with conserving Richardson wholesome. He promised to surrender pregame backflips that wowed followers and teammates. He insisted he received’t be dancing “like that” throughout the season. And he even realized methods to slide, one thing he hardly ever did in 2021.
The Gators want him to be sensible and keep away from taking photographs within the open subject. In spite of everything, backup quarterback and Ohio State switch Jack Miller is sidelined not less than the primary two video games of the season following thumb surgical procedure.
Jones transferred to Arizona State within the spring, clearing the best way for Richardson to take over after a 12 months wherein Florida followers clamored for him weekly. It’s Richardson’s present now — he needed to beg teammates to get sufficient tickets for his family and friends to witness his first begin within the Swamp — and it begins on an enormous stage towards the defending Pac-12 champions.
“Anticipating to see nice issues,” tight finish Dante Zanders stated, evaluating Richardson to New York Giants dynamic receiver and 2021 first-round choose Kadarius Toney. “He’s Kadarius Toney on the quarterback place. He’s received an arm on him. He can do unbelievable throws off his again leg, run, every part.”
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