Could Anthony Richardson Return to the Florida Gators for a Fourth Year?

College football is a sport widely defined by its unpredictability. With dozens of games played each weekend, there are bound to be surprises. Few players embody this unpredictability better than Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

In only four games, we’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly out of the redshirt sophomore. Anthony Richardson showcased all of these in last week’s 38-33 loss to No. 11 Tennessee. He finished with 515 total yards of offense and two touchdowns, but still suffered from accuracy issues.

For as great as Richardson has been during his flashes of brilliance, he has also been plagued by moments of incompetence. This includes a performance against USF that saw him record only 112 passing yard while throwing two interceptions.

He did not play well against Kentucky, either. His 143 passing yards and two interceptions hampered Florida’s chances of coming away with the victory. These mixed results help explain why the Gator quarterback’s draft stock has been all over the place.

The pro appeal of a player like Anthony Richardson is hard to miss. Standing at 6’4 and weighing in at 232 pounds, with elite rushing ability and a strong arm, Richardson is at the top of the charts regarding physical traits. These same attributes led to guys like Josh Allen and Trey Lance going early in the first round over more polished, pro-ready players.

Much like Lance and Allen, Richardson runs with a level of physicality, which is rare to see from a quarterback. He has enough straight-line speed to outrun linebackers and the size and strength to run over defensive backs.

Passing, on the other hand, is a different story. Anthony Richardson has had trouble with accuracy and decision-making numerous times throughout the season.

This has translated to an unimpressive stat line of 876 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions on a 53.7 completion percentage. These numbers are even more concerning when you realize that over half of Richardson’s passing yards, and both of his touchdowns, came in one game.

Unlike the aforementioned Allen and Lance, who played college football at Wyoming and North Dakota, Richardson is playing the toughest conference in college football. It’s all about survival in the SEC, which means Richardson’s development can’t be at the forefront of Florida’s mind. They want him to continue to do what he already does well, rather than try to help him develop new skills in-season.

This raises an interesting question of whether returning to school for a fourth year would be in Richardson’s best interest. The 2023 NFL Draft class already has its headliners at quarterback in Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. That isn’t to say there wouldn’t be demand for a player like Richardson, but much of his draft stock would depend on the pre-draft process.

While the 2022 season is still young, it’s hard to imagine that Anthony Richardson could even come close to answering all of the questions surrounding his game. There aren’t any guarantees that come with returning to school, but then again, there aren’t that many when it comes to the NFL either.

Richardson would likely be selected as a Jordan Love or Malik Willis type of player, meaning he would likely have to sit a year or two before becoming the starter. There’s no right or wrong answer, but coming back for a fourth year of school could prove to be beneficial to Richardson’s draft stock.