Quarterback depth changing how Anthony Richardson is playing

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It doesn’t take a football savant to watch the No. 20 Florida Gators and realize Anthony Richardson isn’t running as much as he has in the past. The 6-4, 240-pound quarterback has physical gifts beyond comprehension but has rushed the ball just 24 times in three games.

Florida’s passing attack has been lacking. The Gators rank dead last in the SEC in terms of passing offense (141 yards per game). They’re also one of only three teams in the country without a passing touchdown in three games (Hawaii and South Florida). What those two other teams don’t have is a talent like Richardson.

How can the Gators make up for a passing game that is lacking? Well, they could run the ball. The Gators have two running backs averaging 9.6 and 7.55 yards per carry and they have a quarterback who can and should be a genuine threat with his legs. A quarterback that every opponent should have to account for taking off at any given time. Florida should be an offense that you have to defend 11 players. Right now, it seems they’re limiting Richardson. Why?

Depth and injuries holding Richardson back

The Gators don’t have depth in the quarterback room. Backup quarterback Jack Miller had surgery to repair a thumb avulsion fracture in August. He has yet to return to practice, which leaves the depth behind Richardson sparse.

Behind Richardson are redshirt freshman Jalen Kitna and walk-on Kyle Engel. Napier has gone on record saying that freshman Max Brown isn’t ready. So, Richardson, who has dealt with numerous injuries in the past hasn’t truly been set loose on Saturday.

“I definitely consider it because they tell me every week I’ve got to be careful, can’t take big hits. I can’t be Superman out there,” Richardson responded when asked about running more. “Try not to be too physical. I try to get down, started sliding this year. So I definitely think about it. I don’t think it takes me out of my game, just helps me stay a little safer.”

After gaining a first down with his legs against Utah he slid. On Monday, Richardson laughed and acknowledged it was the first time he’d ever slid to avoid contact in a game.

Staying healthy is at the forefront of Richardson’s mind for internal and external reasons. Richardson, with a good season, stands to make generational money. The kind of contracts the NFL rewards front-end first-round picks could set your future grandchildren up. It’s easier to tell someone not to think about that when you’re not the one standing to make that kind of money.

There’s also a coaching staff that looks at the quarterback room and sees a combined zero pass attempts between the three available options.

“I think our situation at quarterback has something to do with that,” Napier said Monday when asked if they were utilizing Richardson’s mobility enough. “I also believe the guy’s made some plays with his legs. The guy made two third down conversions in the game the other day, where it’s third and seven to ten, long, extra long, and he goes through his progression and then breaks the pocket and makes a play.”

So, you have a quarterback who very well may be the most physically gifted player in college football but you’re putting a governor on his potential because you need him to be healthy and available. But if he’s not the same player because of the way you’re calling games, are you cutting off your nose to spite your face?

How will Florida change moving forward?

At the end of the day, Richardson is still developing as a passer. Florida needs to keep him healthy. He has the potential to be one of the best players regardless of position in the country.

The injury to Miller puts Napier in a tough position. Napier undoubtedly knows that Richardon’s mobility is a gamechanger. That can be the difference this week in Knoxville and every Saturday moving forward. Napier also knows that, without Richardson, the season could get ugly in a hurry.

What do you do?

“Each game and each week is a little bit different relative to the concepts that are called, how the team’s defending you. I think teams are very aware that this guy can beat them with his feet. I think you maybe get different structure as a result of that,” Napier said. “But I’m with you. I think we do our best to use his skill set, and I think we’ll continue to grow in that area.”

For the benefit of the player and the team, you need to let Anthony Richardson be Anthony Richardson. He will continue to develop into a better passer. That will come. Even as Napier correctly points out that teams will key in on Richardson’s mobility and try to stop it, he should take on that challenge. Stopping Richardson is much easier said than done.

Make teams stop him. Don’t do it for them.