JD PicKell: Homegrown Anthony Richardson has Florida offense buzzing

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is entering his first season as sure-fire QB1 for the Gators. Splitting time with former Florida quarterback Emory Jones one season ago, the Gainesville-native can rest assured knowing that he can focus on the game in front of him instead of the quarterback behind him.

According to On3’s JD PicKell on a recent episode of the Hard Count, the homegrown quarterback has a chip on his shoulder heading into the 2022 college football season.

“There is some insight from people close to this program that Anthony Richardson tore it up in the spring game – Yes, the spring games aren’t always indicative of what they do in the fall – but Anthony Richardson, by most accounts, did a phenomenal job in the spring, and I think that says something,” PicKell said. “Like we talked about with him taking over the team and him taking the next step in this offense, all that – but to be able to be synched up with the receivers is a really good sign. In a new offense, that’s a really good sign.

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“Some pieces that we are not considering either, that people haven’t really talked about as much either is that he’s a Gainesville kid. He went to high school 12 minutes from the University of Florida. Some of this is personal for AR. Some of this is a matter of ‘I’m from here, I’m now the guy here, there’s a lot of people that want to be in my position.’ He’s going take this all for what it’s worth – there is no foot coming off the gas pedal at all for Anthony Richardson.”

This season isn’t just a matter of college football for Richardson – according to PicKell, Richardson is playing for pride and for his community.

“It’s personal, and when it’s personal to you, there’s an extra level of preparation you go to,” PicKell said. “You go through after practice, you go get synced up with the receivers, you might do a couple of extra reps in the weight room – you go that extra mile because there’s something inside of you, that pushes you there.

“And I think for Anthony Richardson being from Gainesville – I’m not saying this is the end all be all – but being from Gainesville is something we have to take into account as he gets the keys to the offense this year. I’m excited for him. I really there’s a lot of good things coming out of the Gators’ camp for what he’s done so far.”