Florida Gators
Gamecock Classic (Day 1)
He'll be Enemy No. 1 on Saturday, but Alabama's Richardson has ties to Gators
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | Football, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
Alabama running back Trent Richardson will be a key focal point for Florida's defense on Saturday night. That's a nice way of saying Richardson will be Enemy No. 1 when Alabama comes to town.
Richardson's combination of size and speed is reminiscent of Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman winner and the player Richardson replaced in the Crimson Tide's backfield. Through four games Richardson has done nothing other than produce like Ingram.
Coming out of high school Richardson flirted with the idea of coming to Florida but opted to sign with Alabama instead. Richardson played at Pensacola Escambia, the same high school that produced Gator great Emmitt Smith.
Smith has served somewhat as a mentor to Richardson over the years.
“We've got a good relationship,'' Richardson told reporters Monday. “He tries to give me as much advice as he can. He's a good role model. He's a Hall of Famer, too, so who wouldn't want to look up to a guy like that?''
Smith isn't the only well-known Gators running back Richardson knows well. He considers current Gators running backs Chris Rainey a good friend and Jeff Demps a friendly rival. Richardson said he plans to call Rainey this week to chat.
“Chris Rainey, we've always been really good friends through recruiting and stuff,'' Richardson said. “I got to race Jeff Demps in high school. He was a senior and I was a junior. He's very fast. He beat me in that race. I think he was the only person to beat me that year.''
