Former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson was quite possibly the biggest surprise stemming from the NFL Scouting Combine on the weekend.
Richardson made a grand impression and, at 6ft 4in and 244lbs, registered 40.5 inches as his vertical jump and 10ft 9in for the broad, both records. He also set the fourth-fastest time in the 40-yard dash since 2003 with 4.43, so there’s no way his draft stock hasn’t gone way up on the back of his outing.
A league executive also referred to Richardson as a blend of Cam Newton, Josh Allen, and Justin Fields while it’s rumored that he could be drafted as a top-12 pick, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Newton is a former NFL MVP who fired the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl while Allen is presently one of the best QBs in the league. Fields, meanwhile, has made significant improvements to his game over the past year and finished last season with 1,143 rushing yards, the second most by a quarterback in NFL history.
Richardson, the tallest and heaviest QB at the Combine, has the build and athleticism to make it as a QB in the pros. However, there are questions about his skill as a passer.
He only completed 53.8 percent of his throws in his last season with the Gators but NFL teams might be willing to risk it on a QB who could move the ball on the ground as he does.
