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Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:21 pm
by Mellanby_equals_grit
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/tiger- ... -missouri/
02.04.2009 11:24 am
Sheldon Richardson decides to sign with Missouri
By: Reid Laymance
Sheldon Richardson, one of the key pieces to Missouri’s recruiting class, is sticking with the Tigers he said this morning.

“It was an emotional decision,” Richardson said. “But this is best for everybody.”

Richardson, a defensive end/tight end at Gateway Tech, had committed to the Tigers in June but as other schools continued recruiting him, the suspense built. He visited Miami last weekend and was down to the Tigers and ‘Canes.

“I’m not a recruit anymore,” he told Post-Dispatch correspondent Gerry Fraley. “I’m just a regular freshman now.”

He’s as regular as any 6-4, 290-pound football player can be. Although he talked a lot during the process about wanting to play tight end, Richardson (6-4, 290) was ranked highest as a defensive lineman. Rivals.com had him as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country and No. 4 prospect overall. ESPN.Com had him at No. 8.

Richardson, who is currently listed by Missouri as a defensive lineman, said he will go to Columbia with the idea of playing both offense and defense. He said he brought up the idea with Missouri coaches during the recruiting process and they didn’t say no.

Richardson, however, has yet to be cleared academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse, but has time to take the ACT test again.

He said he is two points shy and will be taking it again in another week. “I’ll keep taking it all summer if I have to,” Richardson said.

Earlier in the day, Miami signed another nationally ranked tight end in Billy Sanders from Utah, so that could have played a role in Richardson’s decision.

His signing gives Missouri 25 for this class.
The list of top recruits is pretty impressive. Have to feel good about the next few years for Tiger football.. Although I still think this next season will be a bit of a rebuilder.

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:35 pm
by section319
That is fukken great. We need players like him to be able to compete with teams like oklahoma and texas. One of our biggest problems last year was not being able to get any penetration and pressure on the quarterback, which led to the quarterback have forever to throw and our pass defense looking worse then it might have been. This is huge. I am pretty pumped for next season and even more so the season after that. I love being here at mizzou getting to see all the home games, college football is a great sport to actually be at.

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:20 pm
by Rohan
Congrats on a solid class. Richardson was a huge pickup. It would be nice if the KU could keep talent like that at home. A. Brown last year, and his little brother this year. :evil:

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:29 pm
by section319
Yeah, hopefully Richardson turns out to be as good as he is supposed to and can make a difference this year. And this biggest if which is blaine gabbert can be solid his first year of starting.

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:16 am
by OS
section319 wrote: One of our biggest problems last year was not being able to get any penetration and pressure on the quarterback
Not to nitpick,but I think the real problem wasn't the penetration or pressure but actually getting the job done once they got back there. They got plenty of pressure in the Big 12 Champ. game, but once htey got back there Bradford would scramble and end up making a big play.

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:51 pm
by StillBleedingBlue
Richardson, however, has yet to be cleared academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse, but has time to take the ACT test again.

He said he is two points shy and will be taking it again in another week. “I’ll keep taking it all summer if I have to,” Richardson said.
No wonder the U recruited him...

What do you have to get on the ACT exactly to be cleared?

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:30 pm
by Mellanby_equals_grit
My guess is an 18.

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:46 pm
by section319
I don't know what kind of shady operations Miami has when getting recruits in despite grades. But Miami is a private school and if his grades aren't good enough for Mizzou, they really weren't good enough for Miami.

Re: Richardson a Tiger

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:11 am
by Ruutu15
section319 wrote:I don't know what kind of shady operations Miami has when getting recruits in despite grades. But Miami is a private school and if his grades aren't good enough for Mizzou, they really weren't good enough for Miami.
Come on now...think of the players who have gone through Miami. :lol: Streetsmarts, maybe.