Overall

Widely regarded as an incredible athlete with great speed, size, and arm strength who mesmerizes due to his physical abilities. Richardson is a raw prospect and very much an unfinished product when compared to Young and Stroud. Richardson is a much higher risk pick who has not quite put together consistency within the passing game. His statistics in 2022 (53.8 % completion, 2,549 yds, 17 td, 9 int, 654 yds rushing with 9 td) which was his only year of starting the entire season, show that he still has a way to go as far as passing development. Richardson has great running ability and has dual threat potential. He has excellent arm strength allowing him to easily flick the ball downfield even without loading up or stepping into the throw. Richardson also possesses at least the raw ability to naturally see, read, react, and to place balls efficiently and effectively with versatile arm motion, touch, and strength. He certainly shows ability in a smaller sample size (only 1 full season as a Redshirt Sophomore) and his stats and inconsistency create concern that puts him behind players such as Young and Stroud developmentally. Richardson is a boom or bust prospect with plenty of physical ability but he has a lack of experience and his statistics show the rawness and unpolished qualities of his game. Richardson shows flashes and examples of pinpoint accuracy and nice layered throws in his game showing evaluators the potential that is present within him. With only being 21 years old, Richardson still does have plenty of room to grow. Richardson will be a first round draft pick based on projection and potential rather than prestige and polish.

Film Analysis

-Has great arm strength and was accurate on deep pass down the middle

-Great speed, balance, and strength when running. He is a dual threat weapon with an established running game that is a part of his game that will transfer to the NFL

-Good lead ball on deep post route

-He runs a lot of play action style offense which would be expected especially with his abilities

-Stood in pocket, took a hit, and still delivered a perfect deep pass down the middle for a TD (50 yds in air)

-Great field vision and elusiveness in open field to avoid defenders and change direction using speed for big runs

-Good pocket movement to step up avoiding sack attempts and to deliver a throw on a rope in coverage

-Accurate on deep balls in highlights and isn’t scared to stand in pocket and deliver even under pressure and when getting hit

-Great athleticism and ball fakes to extend play as he avoided pass rushers to find an open receiver for TD vs Utah

-Good touch on deep crosser as he placed it in back of endzone where only WR could catch it

-Has electric running ability and his speed could allow him to at the very least have a Terrel Pryor-type impact as a wildcat QB even if he isn’t able to develop as a passer

-Great fade throw with touch and precise placement

-Great throw on a line outside the numbers between defenders in a tight window

-Great jump ball throw to place it right over leaping defender into his own leaping receivers hands in tight coverage showing an understanding and implementation of levels in ball placement

-Throws accurately off back foot with his natural arm strength and adaptability

-Nice step up move in pocket to avoid sandwiching edge rushers pursuing from either side

-Great accuracy on outside the numbers/over the shoulder throw

-Great quick release when under pressure allowing him to get the ball out to his receiver before he takes a sack or gets hit