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Florida Football: Anthony Richardson is not ready for the NFL

By Benjamin Henderson

Nov 5, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) passes over Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Chris Russell Jr. (24) in the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) passes over Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Chris Russell Jr. (24) in the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /
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All last season, Florida Gator fans clamored for Anthony Richardson to be starting over Emory Jones. It was for good reason as Richardson was electric every time he entered the game and Florida football just seemed to have a jolt of energy whenever he played.

Fast forward a year later with Richardson as the full time starter, and there certainly plenty of moments where Richardson dazzled on the field. With a better defense this year, Richardson’s national profile might be as high as anyone.

NFL scouts are certainly high on Richardson, with some mock drafts having him as a top five pick in the 2023 draft. That doesn’t mean he is ready for the NFL.

Florida Football: Show me the money

If Richardson is projected to be a top five selection, then he needs to go. There is too money at stake for him to stick around with Florida football for another season. And while Gators fans were mostly happy with Richardson’s performance this year, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some major red flags for the next level.

The biggest is that he simply isn’t accurate enough on short to intermediate routes to sustain drives with enough consistency. How many times this year did we see Richardson sail a five yard-route or throw a screen pass into the dirt?

Richardson finished the year with a completion percentage of 53.8%, which doesn’t even sniff the top 100 completion percentages in FBS this season. His nine interceptions however were the 28th most in the country and his interception rate of 2.8% (he threw an interception on 2.8% of his passes) is also towards the bottom of the country.

That simply won’t get it done in the NFL, where the worst percentage in the league is Zach Wilson at 55.6%. Even the “running” QBs in the league like Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray are still north of 60%.

Richardson checks physically all the boxes that NFL scouts love and knowing the NFL someone is going to take a shot on him. That’s just how the league works.

If he does leave for the NFL, that will be a blow to Florida football. While Jalen Kitna or possible transfer target Sam Hartman from Wake Forest can be competent, they don’t posses the game breaking ability that Richardson does.

But ask Tim Tebow if game breaking in college translates to the NFL if you don’t have an accurate arm to back it up.

It doesn’t.

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