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'Cam Jackson?' With some work, Florida's Anthony Richardson has tools to be distinct NFL legend
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- 'Cam Jackson?' With some work, Florida's Anthony Richardson has tools to be distinct NFL legend
INDIANAPOLIS – If Anthony Richardson's self-perception is accurate, the NFL team that drafts him is going to have a two-time MVP on its hands.
"Growing up, it was always Cam Newton for me," the former Florida quarterback said Friday at the annual scouting combine when asked to compare himself to a recent pro player – Richardson adding he thinks the Newton comparison is valid.
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"But then, when I got to high school, just seeing how dynamic Lamar (Jackson) was, I tried to implement both of those guys in my life. I started calling myself Cam Jackson in 11th grade, just trying to make plays."
And voila, we've apparently met the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft.
In reality, Richardson is a long(ish) shot to be the first player taken by the Bears – or, probably far more accurately, whichever team acquires Chicago's pick – when the "Player Selection Meeting" commences next month in Kansas City, Missouri. But that doesn't mean the multi-talented, if raw, youngster – and his huge arm and ability to run over and around defenders very much evoke Newton – won't wind up in the top five.
"I know he hasn't played a ton, but teams are starting to look at some of these quarterbacks as lottery tickets – and this one has the biggest payout," said NFL Network senior draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
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"That's why I think you're going to see Richardson go pretty high."
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Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) celebrates after diving into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half against LSU at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
Richardson only started 13 games for the Gators, 12 in 2022 as a redshirt sophomore. Last season, he passed for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. As a runner, he added 654 yards and nine scores.
"Anthony Richardson is the second quarterback (on the board) for several teams that I talked to," said Jeremiah. "And he has elite, elite arm strength. He is a rare athlete. You don't see quarterbacks running away from LSU with 80-yard touchdown runs. Like, he has big-time, big-time ceiling, big-time ability.
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"With Anthony Richardson, you don't have a ceiling."
Of course, there's also the proverbial floor, and Richardson's might be lower than most given his inconsistent mechanics and the inevitable inaccuracy those lead to. He failed to complete 55% of his career passes at Florida.
Richardson knows it's a weakness in his game but didn't quite take full accountability for it Friday.
"I can definitely get better at delivering the ball and helping my guys out – but I can't also catch every pass," he said, perhaps channeling Gisele Bündchen . "If I could, I would definitely. But it's just helping guys out and helping guys help me. My completion percentage, some people say it's not great. I don't think it's great, either. But it's just growing as a quarterback, and not every year is gonna be your best year, and I definitely learned a lot from last season.
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"Just growing up, I've had a lot of people tell me I'm throwing it too hard, (but) when I try to lighten up, it's not as accurate as I want it to be. I don't care if somebody's complaining about if I'm throwing it hard – they better catch it."
In fairness, Richardson delivered those comments in a lighthearted manner and said working on his accuracy – particularly tying his arm, hips and feet together – had been a point of emphasis during his pre-combine training in Jacksonville, Florida. He plans on showcasing his arm, while hopefully dialing it in, during on-field drills Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Richardson also attempted to clear up what he thought was another misconception about himself.
"A lot of people say I'm immature because I'm only 20 years old," he said. "But I had to grow up early in life, I had to raise my younger brother while my mom was working two to three jobs every year. So a lot of people don't know my situation, they don't know my story. And that's why I'm here – tell my story and let people know how I am."
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Among the teams he's already enlightened during combine interviews were the Houston Texans , Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers , all quarterback-needy teams with top-10 selections. Richardson also spoke with the New England Patriots.
And while he admits he has plenty of areas to refine, Richardson also rejects the notion he's a fixer-upper.
"I don't even know what that means, 'project label.' But I'm willing to bring anything and everything that they need from me," he said. "I'm gonna work hard, I'm gonna be dedicated to my craft, be a leader in that organization. Just grow and continue to grow.
"I guess teams already know that I have room to grow. They see sparks in me, I see it in myself as well."
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He added: "I'm willing to put my body on the line. I'm willing to grow in the meeting rooms, in the locker room, as a leader. I'm just willing to do everything in my power to be the best version of myself that I can be for the organization I go to."
One area where Richardson certainly isn't lacking? Confidence. And while he may be "Cam Jackson," he's also not afraid to liken himself to NFL superstar quarterbacks while striving to reach the most rarefied air himself.
"I want to be a legend. I want to be like Patrick Mahomes , I want to be like Tom Brady . I want to be one of the greats – I will be one of the greats," he said, feeling his body, mindset and fundamentals have already greatly improved since he left Gainesville.
"Just watching different films, watching Joe Burrow , watching Justin Herbert , watching Josh Allen last year with my coaches – I feel like I'm able to do those same things that those guys are able to do. They're great on their teams, so I'm ready to get on my team and get in my system and become great just like those guys."
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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Richardson: Lamar Jackson + Cam Newton? QB sets high bar
