Mt. Carmel Grad Anchoring 4-1 U. of Minnesota's Defensive Line as Freshman

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per DNA Info Chicago:

Richardson said the Minnesota coaching staff hinted throughout training camp that he would be inserted into the starting lineup this season. Richardson said he's adjusting to the speed, size and athleticism of the college game one play at a time. He described the Division I experience as "definitely more explosive" than high school ball.

"You just have to be able to adapt to it," Richardson said.

The crowds obviously also have been much larger. That's especially true for Saturday's game in Ann Arbor, where 102,926 fans packed Michigan Stadium.

Richardson was represented by about a dozen family members, including some who came from as far away as Wyoming.

Richardson said the triumph over Michigan "was definitely a statement" and potentially set up the Golden Gophers for a Big Ten divisional title.

"We have a whole different mindset here. We want the Big Ten championship," Richardson said. "That's our main goal."

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2014...-1-u-of-minnesotas-defensive-line-as-freshman

Go Gophers!!
 


Nice story, Richardson has quickly become one of my favorite Gophers.
 

The stats don't accurately reflect his impact. It almost seems to me, especially last week, that he's beating his guy and in the backfield as much as Ra'Shede was last year. In a team-first defense like the one Claeys teaches, linebackers will make the tackles, but the DL disrupts the offense. It's so nice that we've been able to improve our depth, noticed by many national and B1G pundits, instead of saying how good we could be if one of our injured stars was out and the backup just isn't as good.
 

One play in particular he pushed his man into the backfield and made the rb dance. He is playing well.
 


he is better than Shede

his potential is very high right now and that will help everyone on the defense. Right now when healthy this team has some depth on the Defense. we just cant continue to get guys hurt
 

For a true frosh, he's amazing.

How did everybody else miss on him?
 


In most defenses, the DT's job is to keep linemen off the LBs. The fact that LBs are 1,2,3 in tackles show that the tackles are doing an excellent job.
 



I wonder who starts next to him next year. Does Ekpe rebound fully? Is Elmore bigger and moved inside? Stetler and Moore waiting in the wings.
 



Breakin' The Plane said:
I wonder who starts next to him next year. Does Ekpe rebound fully? Is Elmore bigger and moved inside? Stetler and Moore waiting in the wings.
Click to expand...

I'd be surprised if Elmore is moved inside. His speed is such a great attribute on the end. He is going to be great!
 



Does anybody know how his much more highly recruited DL teammate Enoch Smith is doing at MSU?
 

Spoofin said:
I'd be surprised if Elmore is moved inside. His speed is such a great attribute on the end. He is going to be great!
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That's what I was thinking. He seems to fit Kill's prototype DE. Fast, long and strong.
 

I think he and Elmore will eventually be NFL players. Wouldn't surprise me if they were 1st/2nd round types. In addition to every other attribute, Richardson has extremely long (and strong) arms for his frame. Imagine these two when they have a few years of high level collegiate weight training under their belt.
 

Studwell55 said:
For a true frosh, he's amazing.

How did everybody else miss on him?
Click to expand...

I would second the previous sizeism comment. I've stood next to him (he was in street clothes) and 5'11'' would be a very generous listing.

That said, I don't think I've ever seen a man with calves that big. Absolute tree trunks. The guy is a fire hydrant.
 

I like Richardson a lot, but his height is going to scare away a lot of pro teams. The NFL is so locked into the "combine" mentality that they will draft players based almost entirely on their "measureables."

Having said that, I could see Richardson being a sleeper pick that plays in the NFL - but he would have to be drafted by the right team. Still, I think there is a real potential for the Gophers to have a really interesting D-Line in the next couple of years.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Having said that, I could see Richardson being a sleeper pick that plays in the NFL - but he would have to be drafted by the right team. Still, I think there is a real potential for the Gophers to have a really interesting D-Line in the next couple of years.
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Yeah, it's fun to speculate on things like that, but he's a true Frosh! More important is your last sentence there...our D Line could be pretty scary for a while. As others have said, I'd argue that Richardson has been just as disruptive as Shede was at this point last year. Not making the freaky athletic plays (I don't see many picks in the young mans future, lol), but he's damn near unblockable 1-1.
 

Same reason people passed on Berkeley Edwards.

And right now Edwards does not belong in a backfield getting the ball handed to him.

Add some weight kid!
 

Studwell55 said:
Same reason people passed on Berkeley Edwards.

And right now Edwards does not belong in a backfield getting the ball handed to him.

Add some weight kid!
Click to expand...


Yep. I cringe when he gets hit. Still looks like he is a year away from being able to absorb some of those bigger hits.
 

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