Changes enhance Richardson’s value
FAYETTEVILLE — Perhaps no Arkansas Razorbacks football player is benefitting more from a fresh start with a new coaching staff than
Gabe Richardson.
After playing in four games last season and just six snaps on defense — four against
Florida A&M and two against Texas A&M — along with some time on special teams, Richardson is working as a first-team defensive end in spring practice.
Richardson said he’s trying to make sure to keep his elevated status in perspective considering the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville doesn’t open the season for five more months against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 1.
“I’ve got to stay humble, because everybody’s always climbing to get to the top of the mountain,” said Richardson, a junior from Decatur, Ga. “I’m reminded every day those other guys aren’t behind me, they’re with me.”
“I’m just the first guy to go out there right now.”
That sure beats being a guy who barely gets on the field, and Richardson said working with the starters gives him added confidence.
“My chest goes up a little higher,” he said with a smile. “I’m big dog, I’m big dog.
“But I have to keep my head down and keep my feet moving and let’s go.”
Richardson transferred to Arkansas last year after a productive freshman season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where he had a team-high 18½ tackles for lost yards — including 6 sacks — and made 60 tackles.
With those numbers Richardson was expected to help Arkansas’ struggling defense, but he wound up buried on the depth chart.
Not only did Richardson have to make the transition from the Jayhawk League to the SEC but he also moved from the defensive end spot he played at Hutchinson to outside linebacker in the Razorbacks’ switch to a 3-4 scheme.
Arkansas is back in a four-man front under John Chavis, who is in his first season as the Razorbacks’ defensive coordinator but his 24th consecutive season holding that spot with an SEC team after previous stops at Tennessee, LSU and Texas A&M.
Chavis said Richardson, 6-3 and 250 pounds, has been impressive in practice.
“He’s got the whole package,” Chavis said. “I think this scheme fits him a little bit better. He’s got good speed, so he is an edge player and that’s where it fits him better. That’s helped him in terms of what we’re doing right now.”
Richardson agreed defensive end is a better position for him than linebacker.
“It feels like home,” he said. “I’m back in my position having fun.”
Richardson said he appreciates the confidence being shown in him by Chavis and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell, who is in his second stint as an Arkansas assistant.
“I’m just blessed with coach Caldwell and coach Chavis believing in me to do my job,” he said. “They’re putting me in position to be the best player I can be.”
Richardson’s emergence, with Randy Ramsey working at the other first-team end, has allowed the coaches to experiment with moving McTelvin Agim to tackle.
“Everybody’s ready to play,” Richardson said. “We’re coaching each other, we’re understanding the calls. We’re always communicating, talking to each other.
“Even on the sideline. I’m coaching other guys up, guys are coaching me.”
Richardson said he makes sure to go against senior offensive tackle Brian Wallace in drills every practice.
“B-Wall is one of the best tackles in the SEC,” Richardson said. “He’s cut his weight down and has got his feet right.
“After every single rep, we communicate about what happened. What did he do?
What can I do to get better?”
Offensive lineman Jalen Merrick and Richardson had a different form of communication during Wednesday’s scrimmage when they got into a scuffle and had to be separated by teammates and coaches.
So what happened? “Him trying to do his job and me trying to do my job,” Richardson said. “I’m going to better control my temper, but I’m not going to take much.”
Richardson said he and Merrick talked after practice.
“I was like, ‘Man, you’ve got to block me like this?’ ” Richardson said with a laugh. “But yeah, we talked it out, and it’s all good.
“It happens. We’d be a little worried if we didn’t do any roughing it out at practice. We’re not a soft team. We’re going to get after it.”