Three former Florida Gators weigh in on quarterback Anthony Richardson

The magnifying glass on Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson grows larger each day as the 2022 season inches closer. Richardson is one of just two healthy scholarship quarterbacks that UF has on its roster.

On Friday, that microscope included more than 100 former Florida football players who were personally invited by Billy Napier to view practice. Following the media viewing period, Gators Online spoke to three former Gators: Trey Burton, Brandon Siler and Kevin Carter. Each one was asked about Anthony Richardson and their impressions of the starting quarterback.

Former Gators give their take on Anthony Richardson

Trey Burton

Burton knows a thing or two about playing quarterback. He played some at Florida and Philadelphia Eagles fans certainly remember one of his passes in Super Bowl LII. Burton spent seven years in the NFL and is staying in shape, waiting for another opportunity. He’s seen some of the best quarterbacks at multiple levels.

“Your first impression ‘you’re like, damn, this kid plays quarterback? He’s just a physical monster,” Burton said of Richardson. “The kid looks so impressive, just height and size. And he has a cannon for an arm. I’m really excited to watch the progression from last year, whether it’s reading defenses or getting everybody in the right play, in the right situation. And it seems like from what I hear from other people, just the leadership role he’s taken has just excelled over the last couple of years, so we’ll see what happens.”

Brandon Siler

The starting middle linebacker on the 2006 National Championship team, Siler’s personality is as big as the hits he laid on quarterbacks. When asked what the collision between a 20-year-old version of himself and Richardson, now 21, would be like, he smiled coyly.

“He would have slid.”

“I haven’t talked to him much,” Siler said of Richardson. ”When I came back I talked with him for a little bit but my first impression of him is that he’s huge. The dude’s legs are like this. He’s crazy big. When I look at a guy like him, that’s an NFL body.

“You just have to put it together and I’m pretty sure this year he’s going to hit that thing running that rock out and showing you exactly why and what he can do with that body.”

Kevin Carter

Carter spent four years playing for Steve Spurrier and now works as an analyst for CBS. Carter is paid to break down college football, so when asked about Richardson, he put his professional hat on.

“Severely talented. Just amazingly talented. What he has to work on is something that can’t be quantified. It’s something that is poise, patience in the pocket, and decision making. That’s something that is an art form. You can have the best coaches. You can install the best scheme. In crunch time, if you’re not a decision maker.

“If he doesn’t keep himself out of harms way, keep himself healthy, when to run, when to slide, when to check down, when to keep the chains moving, when to get off the field, and when to win the battle of vertical field position. Those are all such high-level football IQ things. It’ll be about him and what his development is, what his relationship is with the offensive coordinator, with his quarterback’s coach and how well he gels with talent around him.”