Another highly intriguing quarterback prospect will enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Just days after Kentucky quarterback Will Levis announced his intentions to enter the NFL Draft, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has done the same.
As part of a lengthy (and hard-to-read) statement on social media on Monday, Richardson announced, “After much prayer, consideration, and speaking with my family, I have decided to forgo the upcoming bowl game and my remaining years of college eligibility to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.”
Marathon continues… 🏁 pic.twitter.com/3UqmJIWE1d
— Anthony Richardson † (@GVOaant) December 5, 2022
So, along with entering the draft, Richardson — a redshirt sophomore — will skip the Gators’ bowl game. Florida plays No. 14 Oregon State in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17.
Richardson — who turns 22 in May — will be one of the most interesting prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Like Levis, evaluations for Richardson will be quite varied.
The 6’4″, 232-pounder is a dual-threat quarterback that has everything tools wise that NFL organizations are looking for. Along with 17 passing touchdowns on the season, Richardson also had nine rushing touchdowns.
Florida takes a 29-26 lead over No. 7 Utah!
Gators QB Anthony Richardson has 3 rushing touchdowns and 104 rushing yards. 🏈🐊 pic.twitter.com/4y9gbNZPxt
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 4, 2022
But Richardson has also struggled with turnovers (nine interceptions over 327 pass attempts this season), accuracy (53.8 completion percentage), and consistency.
He’s a very raw prospect, but one with massive upside.
The upside for Richardson is so large — and at the most important position in sports — that Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings slotted the quarterback No. 1 overall in a mock draft on Tuesday, for example.
There will also be many draft projections that have Richardson outside of the first round.
Anthony Richardson has plays that make you think he should be the No. 1 overall pick and the next great dual-threat NFL quarterback.
He also has plays that make you think he should have stayed in college another year.
Will be a fun player to study/debate
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 5, 2022
Will discuss Anthony Richardson in depth on the @DraftCountdown podcast next week (December 14th).
For now, I just can't recall many QBs with the lack of efficiency and production to go in the Top 100.
Christian Hackenberg? Kevin O'Connell?
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) December 5, 2022
The Anthony Richardson draft takes are gonna be exhausting. Prepare yourself now.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) December 5, 2022
Richardson is sure to be one of the most discussed prospects in the coming months, and it will be very interesting to see where he lands in the 2023 NFL Draft.