Demani Richardson

Demani Richardson
No. 36 – Carolina Panthers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (2000-10-07) October 7, 2000 (age 24)
Waxahachie, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Waxahachie (Waxahachie, Texas)
College:Texas A&M (2019–2023)
Undrafted:2024
Career history
Roster status:Active
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Demani Richardson (born October 7, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas A&M.

Early life

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Richardson grew up in Waxahachie, Texas and attended Waxahachie High School. In Richardson's high school career, he played on offense and defense. On offense, he rushed for 556 yards and seven touchdowns, while also hauling in 13 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 72 tackles with seven being for a loss, one sack, three pass deflections, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.[1] Richardson committed to play college football at Texas A&M.[2][3]

College career

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In week six of the 2019 season, Richardson picked off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the red zone for his first career interceptions, and Tua's first in the 2019 season, but the Aggies lost 48–27 against Alabama.[4] Richardson finished the 2019 campaign with 71 tackles with 0.5 going for a loss, and 0.5 sacks, two pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.[5] For his performance, Richardson was named to the SEC all-freshman team.[6] Richardson started the 2020 season strong, as in week one he totalled seven tackles and an interception in Texas A&M's 17–12 win over Vanderbilt.[7] Richardson finished the 2020 season with 36 tackles with 2.5 going for a loss, a pass deflection, and an interception.[8] In week six of the 2021 season, Richardson picked off quarterback Bryce Young in the endzone, helping Texas A&M upset #1 Alabama 41–38.[9][10] In week eleven, Richardson posted 13 tackles in a loss to Ole Miss.[11] Richardson finished the 2021 season with 65 tackles with 6.5 going for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.[12] For his performance, Richardson was named third-team all-SEC by Pro Football Focus.[13]

Richardson got off to a good start in the 2022 season, as in week four he returned a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown, as he helped Texas A&M beat #10 Arkansas 23–21.[14] In Texas A&M's season finale, Richardson returned a fumble for a touchdown to give Texas A&M the lead, as he would help the Aggies upset #5 LSU 38–23. For his performance, Richardson was named the SEC co-defensive player of the week.[15][16] Richardson finished the 2022 season with 73 tackles with 2.5 being for a loss, five pass deflections, an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumbles, and two touchdowns.[17] Instead of opting for the 2023 NFL draft, Richardson decided to return to Texas A&M for his final year.[18] Richardson was named preseason second-team all-SEC.[19] He would also be named a third-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports.[20] Richardson was also named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best defensive back.[21]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+12 in
(1.84 m)
210 lb
(95 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
4.60 s 1.54 s 2.67 s 4.40 s 7.18 s 31.5 in
(0.80 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[22][23]

Richardson signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024.[24] He was waived on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad.[25][26] He was promoted to the active roster on September 24.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Demani Richardson Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Holland, EJ (May 9, 2018). "Four-star Waxahachie DB Demani Richardson opens up on his commitment to Texas A&M, Aggies' future". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  3. ^ Wilkerson, William (May 29, 2018). "DFW Elite: Do-it-all athlete committed to Aggies, but others trying to lure him away". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Byington, Alex. "3 takeaways as top-ranked Alabama football rolls over No. 21 Texas A&M". The Montgomery Adviser. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "Demani Richardson 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Passwaters, Mark. "Four Aggies named to SEC All-Freshman team". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  7. ^ Wilson, John. "Aggies start season with 17-12 win over Vanderbilt". KBTX. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  8. ^ "Demani Richardson 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Farner, Keith. "Demani Richardson makes TD-saving pick, gives Texas A&M more momentum". Saturday Down South. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Hall, Erik. "No. 1 Alabama vs. Texas A&M Aggies college football video highlights, final score". Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Tarpley, Jeff. "Texas A&M-Ole Miss Game notes: Aggies hit some milestones". 247Sports. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "Demani Richardson 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "The 2021 College Football All-SEC Team". PFF. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  14. ^ "Achane Leads No. 23 Texas A&M Past No. 10 Arkansas, 23-21". NBCDWF. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Riley, Koki. "LSU football embarrassed by Texas A&M, College Football Playoff hopes dashed". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "Week 13: Football Players of the Week". SEC. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "Demani Richardson 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  18. ^ White, Luke. "Demani Richardson opts to return for 2023 season". The Battalion. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Backus, Will. "2023 Preseason All-SEC football teams: Georgia and Alabama lead the way with 16 selections each". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  20. ^ Lassan, Steven. "2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  21. ^ Thompson, Cole. "Aggies Safety Demani Richardson Named To Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "Demani Richardson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Demani Richardson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  24. ^ Gantt, Darin (May 10, 2024). "Panthers make roster moves, including signing 19 undrafted free agents". Panthers.com.
  25. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 28, 2024). "Panthers claim six new players off waivers". Panthers.com.
  26. ^ Gantt, Darin (August 29, 2024). "Panthers add four more to the practice squad". Panthers.com.
  27. ^ Gantt, Darin (September 24, 2024). "Adam Thielen placed on injured reserve, among other moves". Panthers.com.
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