Tag: Anthony Richardson

Mullen non-committal about the starting quarterback vs. Georgia

“We’re really fortunate, we have two really good quarterbacks here,” Mullen said on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

A bye week may be just what the Gators needed after suffering their second loss as a touchdown or more favorite in three weeks. Next up is the toughest game on the schedule against the No. 1 team in the country in Georgia, and Florida has a lot to figure out heading into that game.

Most notably, at the quarterback spot. Emory Jones has started every game this year, but the redshirt junior has struggled quite a bit. He has 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions, and he threw a pick-six in the second half against LSU that put the team down 15 points to start the second half.

Coach Dan Mullen went to redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson after that, who never left the game. He led four-straight touchdown drives and gave Florida a chance to win at the end before he threw a pick on his final drive. Still, he scored four total touchdowns and went 10 of 19 for 167 yards passing the ball, though he did have two interceptions.

Richardson is still raw, but he already appears to be doing a better job of scanning the field and making plays downfield, and he clearly has an NFL arm. As a result, speculation has been rampant that Richardson will be UF’s starter for the remainder of the season.

But when asked on Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference who would start against Georgia, Mullen once again said that he needed to “evaluate” things. Per All Gators’ Zach Goodall, he wouldn’t commit to either.

Mullen clearly isn’t tipping his hand on the quarterback situation, but based on how he has operated in the past, this seems like an indication that Jones will start the game against the Bulldogs with Richardson seeing rotational action, as has been the case all season until the second half of the LSU game.

Only time will tell if that pans out or if it’s a good move for the Gators, but for fans hoping Mullen would name Richardson the starter on Wednesday, it was a disappointing teleconference.

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Florida QBs ink Outback Steakhouse NIL deal

Anthony Richardson and Emory Jones were among the seven players chosen for an NIL deal.

Florida’s quarterback room is taking full advantage of the new rules regarding monetizing the name, image and likeness of players. Both Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson are one of seven players to join the Outback Steakhouse TeamMATES NIL program.

Through the TeamMATES program, Outback plans to donate meals to military families, and players will also host local give-back nights to raise money for charities of their choice, per the release.

Jones and Richardson are joined by Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, as well as Michigan’s A.J. Henning and Blake Corum. The compensation for the deal isn’t quite clear, but according to this article from Forbes, which quotes Richardson’s attorney, Darren Heitner, the quarterback is only seeking NIL deals that pay in the six or seven figures. So, it’s fair to assume the compensation for Richardson and Jones will be sizable.

Unfortunately, Outback was unable to sign the most obvious athlete on Florida’s roster for a NIL deal with the restaurant: Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw. He’s ineligible for NIL benefits as a result of his student visa, as coach Dan Mullen mentioned several weeks ago.

The ability for players to profit off their name, image and likeness has changed college sports considerably in a short period of time, and we’re only going to see more deals like this moving forward.

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Anthony Richardson clarifies position on transfer concerns from fans

Anthony Richardson says he’s making the most of the opportunities he’s given.

Florida fans have been asking for the start of the Anthony Richardson era for some time now, but Dan Mullen has backed Emory Jones all year.

Despite Richardson taking over for Jones in the second half against LSU (and playing a lot better), Mullen says that he still has to evaluate the position before deciding a starter for Georgia. It’s comments like this that have fans wondering if Richardson will eventually transfer from the university if he doesn’t get an opportunity sooner rather than later.

When asked about a potential transfer down the road after the loss to LSU, Richardson gave a response that worried some fans.

“I can’t really speak on that,” Richardson said. “Time is the only thing that can tell, but right now I’m a Gator. That’s the only thing that matters.”

On paper, it sounds like Richardson is doing what any smart young athlete should do and keeping his options open without biting the current hand that feeds him. But behind the words was a smirk on Richardson’s face that seemed to ask why the question was even being asked so soon.

In every game that both Jones and Richardson play in, there is some mention of the connection the two share. Instead of being afraid of each other as competitors, the two support one another as if they were brothers. Richardson clarified his post-game comments on Twitter, and he included three photos of himself with Jones in the post.

It sounds like Richardson was trying not to step on any toes in his earlier interview and that he’s excited for what’s to come with the Gators. The door isn’t shut on a transfer down the road, but the rumors should slow down with this clarification.

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WATCH: Anthony Richardson answers pick-6 with TD drive

After Emory Jones’ second pick of the day, Anthony Richardson came in and marched the Gators downfield for a TD and 2-point conversion.

It has been a rough one in Baton Rouge for the Florida Gators as the LSU Tigers continue to torment UF’s quarterbacks, snagging three interceptions en route to 21 points as a result. Emory Jones tossed a Hail Mary to Justin Shorter as time expired in the second quarter to pull the game to a 21-13 but then score before tossing the third pick of the game on his second throw of the second half that pushed the score to 28-13.

On the ensuing drive, Dan Mullen put Anthony Richardson at the helm who promptly marched his team 75 yards downfield for a touchdown and a two-point conversion to make it a one-score game. Take a look at Richardson’s touchdown-scoring draw play below.

Unfortunately, the Tigers bit back with yet another big play, as Tyrion Davis-Price ran one up the Gators’ gut for a 40-yard touchdown to up the score to 35-21 just five minutes into the second half.

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Anthony Richardson at ‘100 percent’ ahead of Kentucky matchup

After two weeks of playing it safe with Anthony Richardson, Dan Mullen says the backup quarterback is at full strength once again.

Anthony Richardson was medically cleared to play against Alabama two weeks ago, but he’s just now getting back to full strength. Florida head coach Dan Mullen confirmed Richardson’s progress on Wednesday.

“He’s ready to go,” Mullen said at this week’s SEC coaches teleconference. “100 percent, ready to go. We’re excited to have him back and ready to play. He’s a dynamic player.”

Richardson was electric against USF before coming up lame on an 80-yard touchdown run — one of his three big touchdown plays on the day. Despite only throwing three passes in the game, AR-15 threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

Fans began to call for an end to the so-called quarterback controversy with Richardson looking like a 2021 model of Tim Tebow, but the injury allowed starter Emory Jones to find his footing against Alabama and Tennessee.

Richardson’s return isn’t an invitation to start that conversation back up, though. Both quarterbacks have been vocal supporters of one another, and the offense is at its best when Jones and Richardson can play off one another to keep the defense guessing. The two-quarterback rotation should be lethal for the Gators with Jones getting some backup just as he figures things out.

“I’m definitely excited to get Anthony back,” Jones said Monday. “Last week he was mad he didn’t get in because he thought he was going to play. I told him we need him 100 percent when he comes back.”

Richardson wasn’t the only one eager for him to get back on the field against Tennessee, but there’s no denying Jones’ point. A healthy Richardson could mean everything for Florida, especially with a tricky Georgia defense on the horizon.

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Anthony Richardson should be ready to go on Saturday per Dan Mullen

Mullen spoke with the media Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference, providing an update on his electric redshirt freshman play-caller.

Florida’s backup quarterback Anthony Richardson has not taken a snap since that illustrious 80-yard touchdown run against the South Florida Bulls in which he tweaked his hamstring. The injury had the Gator Nation’s breath collectively bated ahead of the Alabama game, for which he was cleared to play but relegated to the bench until an emergency emerged.

Coach Dan Mullen spoke with the media Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference, providing an update on his electric redshirt freshman play-caller.

“He’s looking good,” Mullen said of Richardson. “We haven’t really opened him up a whole lot. It is a little bit similar to last week. We’re going to do a MRI and see where he’s at and do a full test on Friday to give him the maximum time to get to 100 percent.”

Ahead of the Crimson Tide game, Richardson had participated in all of the team practices that week but still was not 100% when game time rolled around, hence Mullen’s hesitancy to use him last weekend.

“We’ve done more at practice with him this week than we did last week, even opening him up some, but we haven’t gotten him on a full sprint yet,” Mullen said. “I would think he’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”

Florida’s skipper also added that Richardson was ahead of schedule in his recovery.

“We’ve done more at practice with him this week than we did last week, even opening him up some, but we haven’t gotten him on a full sprint yet,” Mullen said. “I would think he’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”

It would not be surprising to see the Gators’ backup quarterback get some reps this Saturday given that Tennessee is not quite the behemoth that Alabama is — plus the extra week of healing and coaching. On the other hand, there is no reason to risk further exacerbating the injury as the Georgia game gets closer and closer.

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Anthony Richardson won’t play unless Emory Jones gets hurt

Mullen says that Richardson will be a pure backup this week.

Jamie Erdahl of CBS Sports provided more updates on Anthony Richardson’s hamstring injury just before the kickoff of Florida’s tangle against Alabama in the Swamp.

Richardson told the CBS crew that his first and worst hamstring strain came in spring football. The limp we saw last week after an 80-yard touchdown run was actually a reinjury of that right hamstring.

Erdahl said that Florida’s backup quarterback had an MRI on Saturday and Friday. While the hamstring looks “greatly improved,” Florida coach Dan Mullen told Erdahl that he wouldn’t be playing Richardson unless starter Emory Jones went down with an injury.

Richardson was doing backflips before the game and warming up, so he seems ready to go. He’s also been medically cleared to play. Mullen has backed up Jones all season and is doing his best to protect Richardson’s health. But with this being the most important game on the Gators’ schedule, Mullen may have to change his plans if Jones struggles again.

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Anthony Richardson cleared to play against Alabama, per Dan Mullen

Mere minutes before kickoff, the fanbase can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief as their electric playmaker will be ready to make his mark.

Ahead of the big game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Florida Gators got some great news when Dan Mullen stated that Anthony Richardson is cleared to play this afternoon on CBS Sports’ pregame show.

Speaking to Jamie Erdahl, Mullen offered the following.

The Gators got a bit of a scare when it was reported that it would be a game-day decision whether or not the redshirt freshman backup would be available against the top-ranked team in the nation. Mere minutes before kickoff, the fanbase can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief as their electric playmaker will be ready to make his mark.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. EDT on CBS Sports from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Injury update ahead of Alabama-Florida collision

The latest injury update before the SEC clash between Alabama and Florida!

Injuries are a part of the game of football, unfortunately. With that being said, both Alabama and Florida are still relatively healthy overall. But there are a few injury updates that need to be addressed before the two teams collide in Gainesville.

For Florida, it was reported earlier by Gators Wire that quarterback Anthony Richardson’s availability is pending the results of an MRI from earlier Saturday morning.

Richardson’s availability will play a critical role in the outcome of today’s contest between the Tide and the Gators.

It should also be noted that starting linebacker Ventrell Miller is out for the remainder of the season for the Gators with torn biceps.

On Alabama’s end, the Tide is mostly healthy aside from Christopher Allen. Last weekend starting corners Josh Jobe and Jayln Armour-Davis missed the contest against Mercer with injuries. All indications are that both players will be available today.

The biggest question heading into today’s matchup for Alabama is the status of super sophomore Will Anderson. Anderson limped off the field against Mercer early in the second half last week, but according to Coach Saban, Anderson practiced Thursday.

During his weekly radio program on Thursday night, Saban said, “he did more today than he has done all week”.

It hasn’t officially been announced that Anderson will play, but it seems he is very likely to compete today against the Gators.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Anthony Richardson’s status against Alabama is pending MRI, per report

Richardson has been singled out as a key factor in the Gators’ quest to topple the Tide but may not get a chance to play.

Despite (or perhaps because) he only saw a minority of snaps on the field in the Gators’ first two games, backup quarterback Anthony Richardson has set Florida’s fanbase ablaze. A redshirt freshman local to the Gainesville area, he’s managed to make a massive impression in his limited playing time by his fearless play style and impressive physical gifts.

As the Gators prepare to take on the reigning NCAA champs, Richardson has been singled out as a key factor in the Gators’ quest to topple the Tide. Our own staff has pitched their hats into that ring as well. Staff writer Tyler Nettuno commented that “a breakout game from Anthony Richardson may be the team’s only chance to keep this one close” and managing editor Adam Dubbin wrote that “a few big plays by Anthony Richardson will keep things interesting and finally convince Mullen to give him the team’s reins.”

However, Richardson may never even get the chance.

In an exclusive report for Rivals, Nick de la Torre of GatorsTerritory commented that whether Richardson will play rests on the outcome of an MRI being done Saturday morning. Twice in the brief report, it’s said that Richardson expects to be cleared by game time. However, the surrounding context is a little less encouraging. Evidently, he’s been getting “extensive treatment” throughout the week and has gone so far as to prioritize a speedy recovery from his hamstring injury over his attendance in class.

Based on his performance alone, there would be no question as to whether Richardson would play against ‘Bama on Saturday. However, he suffered a non-contact injury to his hamstring on a touchdown run against South Florida.

In the grand scheme, it probably makes little difference whether Richardson plays against Alabama. The Gators are heavy dogs in this one and only a tremendous performance from Florida and a tragic collapse from the Crimson Tide could overcome the disparity between the two teams. It’s frustrating to watch a young player gaining traction lose time in an big game, but might be wiser to play it safe if the MRI looks iffy than risk worsening his injury in a game that will likely end badly no matter what.

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