Anthony Richardson Sr.

Early life

Richardson was born on May 22, 2002, in Miami, Florida. He later attended Loften High School in Gainesville, Florida. However, Richardson played quarterback for Eastside High School's football team. During his high school career, Richardson had 4,633 passing yards with 37 passing touchdowns to go along with 1,633 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns. He committed to play college football at the University of Florida.

College career

Richardson appeared in just four games during his first year at Florida in 2020, completing one of two passes for 27 yards with a touchdown and interception. He was able to redshirt his first year of collegiate eligibility. Richardson entered 2021 as the backup to Emory Jones. Against the LSU Tigers, he replaced Jones and completed 10 of 19 passes for 167 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions to go along with a rushing touchdown.Richardson officially became the starting quarterback for the Gators in 2022. In the first game of the season, he helped lead a 29–26 upset over the seventh-ranked Utah Utes on September 3, 2022. On September 24, in a 38–33 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, Richardson had 453 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception to go along with 17 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Overall, in 2022, Richardson played in 12 games and passed for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions, as well as rushing for 654 yards and 9 touchdowns in his first full season as a starting quarterback for a college team. During his time at Florida, Richardson amassed a 6–6 record as the starting quarterback for the Gators.

As a collegiate player, Richardson was stated to have displayed "dynamic talent" as a passer and runner during his college years but lacked accuracy and consistency. Richardson's physical gifts also helped propel him as a possible first-round NFL draft selection. Following the end of the 2022 season, Richardson announced that he would enter the 2023 NFL draft.