By Dan Harralson
Day 1: Trent Richardson (RB - Escambia Co. - Pensacola, FL.) You think of Escambia Co. High School in Pensacola, FL and you think Emmitt Smith. NFL's all-time leading rusher and University of Florida standout Emmitt Smith has been a home-town idol for Richardson. After Richardson rushed for merely 400 yards in his first game as a Junior, the comparisons were there between the two. Richardson was an individual that did not have much growing up, so he kept his dream alive and knew football would be his key (and his family's key) to providing himself with a college education, as well as providing his family with his NFL-to-be talents in the future. Trent had Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Auburn, and Clemson on his recruiting list. He verbally committed to Alabama on June 2, 2008. He still listened to offers and made his on-campus visits to other schools. He made it clear that Ole Miss (recruited by Ron Dickerson), South Carolina (recruited by Shane Beamer), Auburn, and Clemson were schools he would only listen too. He took official visits to Alabama, Florida, Florida State, and LSU all in January. Richardson visited Tuscaloosa on January 9th and then visited The University of Florida (recruited by Kenny Carter) on January 16th. On January 23rd, Trent visited Baton Rouge and Les Miles. Miles, Josh Henson, and Larry Porter pushed very hard to add the RB to their list and secure the Tigers a unanimous #1 recruiting class in the nation. Florida State Head Coach In-Waiting, Jimbo Fisher, received Richardson's final visit on January 30th. Assistant Coach Rick Trickett pushed hard once again to sway Trent's final decision, but he always wanted to play under Coach Saban since June last year. Richardson brings to the table an up-the-middle back and a much needed replacement for the NFL departure of RB Glen Coffee. Trent played in eight games as a Junior, rushing for 1,390 yards and scoring 14 touchdown's. In his Senior season, the 2,000 yard mark was eclipsed, rushing for 2,090 yards and nearly doubling his Junior season touchdown mark with 25 touchdown's. We should not be expecting a red-shirt this season, so UA fans will get to see the next great Escambia Co. running back and maybe Emmitt Smith in attendance to see home-town greatness.
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