SEC coach compares Anthony Richardson to Cam Newton

Huge expectations surround Anthony Richardson and the Florida Gators program ahead of the 2022 college football season. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 236 pounds, Richardson is reminding some of the SEC’s coaches of a certain Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.

“He looks like Cam Newton, he’s that impressive,” an anonymous SEC defensive coordinator said, via ESPN.

It isn’t just SEC coordinators that are impressed with Richardson’s skills on the field, the entire country is taking notice of the Gainseville-native’s prowess under center. Assuming he has cleaned up certain aspects of his game during the offseason, the Heisman Trophy isn’t out of the question for Richardson in 2022.

“He’s got a pretty strong arm,” a different Power 5 defensive coordinator said of Richardson. “When he runs, he looks to run you over. He’s got a dog mentality, pretty confident. The inaccuracy on the deep ball is where he’s seen most of his problems, but he still can throw a good ball.”

Last season, he threw for 526 yards on 38 for 54 passing and six touchdowns in seven appearances for the Gators. The sophomore arrived in Gainesville as a four-star recruit and the No. 15 quarterback prospect from the Class of 2020, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

While he split time under center with Emory Jones last year, Richardson will be well off as primary signal caller. The first time fans were able to see the QB1 version of Richardson during the spring game back in April. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns to help his team to a 34-0 victory. Sure, it was just the spring game, but it was a glimpse into what Gator Nation can expect out of Richardson this year.

The Gators will bank on a hot start to 2022 for Richardson, as they have their hands full to begin the 2022 college football season.

Hosting the Utah Utes – a team that nearly took down Ohio State in a classic, record-setting Rose Bowl matchup last season – in Gainesville during Week One. Fast forward to Week Two, and the Kentucky Wildcats come to town boasting one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Will Levis.

If Florida wants to start their season 2-0 – a necessity if they want to find themselves in contention for an SEC East title – it’ll be predicated on Richardson’s ability to command the Gators offense.. Kentucky was selected to finish second in the division behind reigning national champions Georgia, meaning an upset is needed early to make the jump past the Wildcats and back into contention for a SEC Championship.