Florida Gators QB Anthony Richardson declares for 2023 NFL Draft after sophomore season

Football

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Image Credit: Jordan McKendrick, UAA

Florida Gators sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson has decided to forgo his final couple years of collegiate eligibility and instead enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson announced his decision Monday through a social media message. He has also decided not to play in Florida’s bowl game.

“After much prayer, consideration, and speaking with my family, I have decided to forgo the upcoming bowl game and my remaining years of college eligibility to enter the 2023 NFL Draft,” he wrote. “As I take my next step in this journey, I will always be a Gator and strive to make Gator Nation proud! Go Gators!

Richardson, a Gainesville, Florida, native playing for his hometown Gators, completed 53.8% of his passes for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his first season as a full-time starter, adding 654 yards rushing on 103 attempts with nine more scores on the ground. He completed 59.4% of his passes for 529 yards, six touchdowns and five picks with 401 yards rushing and three scores as a spot starter and backup in 2021.

A projected high first-round pick before the season due to flashing in reserve duty a year ago, Richardson drew early Heisman Trophy murmurs after leading Florida to a shocking upset of then-No. 7 Utah in Week 1. He completed 17 of 24 passes and ran 11 times for 106 yards with three rushing touchdowns in the 29-26 win, sending Ben Hill Griffin Stadium into a frenzy.

However, Richardson’s stock began to steadily decline immediately thereafter. Over the next two weeks against Kentucky and South Florida, he completed just 24 of 53 passes for 255 yards with four interceptions and only 28 yards rushing. UF went 1-1 in those games, beating USF by a hair.

The rest of the season was a mixed bag due to AR’s uneven play. When Richardson chose to run more frequently, the Gators offense and his ability as a passer clearly thrived; when he did not, both were notably less successful.

Richardson has always flashed a live arm and incredible athletic ability, but his inconsistent accuracy on short passes and that lack of willingness to run the ball remain notable marks against him. He definitely improved as a passer as the season progressed — particularly on deep balls — and cut down on mistakes that plagued him early in the year. Richardson was also injured multiple times during the year, which likely hampered his production early.

Still, it’s tough to say whether he’s ready for this next step.

Richardson does not lack talent; he has it in spades with a cannon arm and powerful legs. Prototypically, he’s exactly what NFL teams want in a modern quarterback. He has also been a role model and pillar of the community during his time in Gainesville. If he puts it all together, he may not have a ceiling at the next level.

However, whether he’s already developed enough for NFL teams to consider selecting him in the first round — the only reason he should have even considered declaring with so much eligibility left — remains to be seen. Richardson will likely be viewed by teams as a project; it should not be expected that he could step in as a first-year starter for any NFL franchise.

AR has dropped out of the big boards for ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Kiper now lists Richardson as the fourth-best quarterback in the draft behind Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Alabama’s Bryce Young but ahead of Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker.

Between Richardson’s declaration and the draft itself, NFL teams will have plenty of opportunities to further evaluate him, including workouts, Pro Day at UF and the NFL Scouting Combine.

Richardson is expected to be the highest-drafted Florida quarterback since either Tim Tebow (No. 25 overall, 2010), Rex Grossman (No. 22, 2003) or John Reaves (No. 14, 1972).

As for the Gators, they will now to either redshirt freshman Jack Miller III or redshirt sophomore walk-on Kyle Engel as quarterback in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl. Miller has not played all season after injuring his thumb in training camp and losing the backup job to Jalen Kitna, who has since been dismissed from the program. Engel would play over Miller if the latter is not healthy enough to see the field.

Florida will likely be a major player in the transfer portal seeking a signal caller to compete for a starting job next season.

The Gators are set to sign four-star 2023 QB Jaden Rashada (Pittsburg, CA) as part of head coach Billy Napier’s second recruiting class. Rashada is expected to emerge as a five-star prospect before the early signing period and could start as a true freshman next season.

“It was a childhood dream of mine to become a collegiate student-athlete. That dream came true when Coach [Dan] Mullen and his staff offered me the opporutnity to become a student-athlete at the University of Florida. I will forever be grateful to him and his staff for believing in my potential.

“My time at the University of Florida has been filled with great experiences on and off the field. I have had the opportunity to connect with unique people. I will forever be thankful for those life-changing moments. Running out of the tunnel with my brothers in front of 90,000 fans is an experience I will never forget. The Swamp and Gator Nation is second to none!

“First and foremost, I thank God for always watching over my family and me. He has truly blessed us to be in this position. Thank you to Coach [Billy] Napier and his staff for molding me into the player and person I am today. I am forever thankful for my teammates and the memories we created. I want to thank the athletic trainers, equipment managers, academic advisors, tutors, and support staff for showing me that everyone is essential to success. I am sending a very special thank you to the City of Gainesville and everyone who has influenced me and demonstrated their love, care, and support over the years.

“Most importantly, I would like to thank my mother, LaShawnda Cleare, for her sacrifice and everything she has done for me throughout this journey. She continuously showed me that hard work pays off, and I will forever be grateful to her! After much prayer, consideration, and speaking with my family, I have decided to forgo the upcoming bowl game and my remaining years of college eligibility to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. As I take my next step in this journey, I will always be a Gator and strive to make Gator Nation proud! Go Gators!”