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FAMU football's Daniel Richardson already has case for SWAC's top QB ― and among nation's best
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- FAMU football's Daniel Richardson already has case for SWAC's top QB ― and among nation's best
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson has made quite the impression in his first four games with the Rattlers .
The graduate transfer, who previously played at Central Michigan and Florida Atlantic, has quickly commanded the Rattlers' offense, punctuated by two comeback victories in FAMU's first two games versus Norfolk State and South Carolina State.
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Richardson has completed 83 of 124 passes (66.9%) and thrown for 987 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
The Miami native's completion percentage leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference and is 14th amongst Football Championship Subdivision quarterbacks . Averaging 246.8 passing yards per game, Richardson ranks second in the SWAC and 16th in the FCS.
Additionally, FAMU has the 25th passing offense in the nation.
"When you're one of the best in the SWAC, you're one of the best in the nation," FAMU head coach James Colzie III said. "He's done a lot of good things. I think the biggest thing for me is when we have our conversations throughout the week; he talks about the things he needs to improve on, as opposed to the things he's doing well."
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) gets ready to run a play during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.
Of course, quarterbacks get all the glory from fans and media. However, Richardson is quick to defer to others for his success.
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For example, after Richardson won the MEAC/SWAC Challenge's Most Valuable Player Award in FAMU's season-opening triumph over Norfolk State, the quarterback treated the Rattlers' offensive line to a meal at Waffle House.
"Hats off to my O-Line and the guys making plays for me. I can't be on the top of the charts without them," Richardson said.
"All credit goes to them. It should say 'FAMU' instead of 'Daniel Richardson.' It should be a team thing ― not an individual. But at the end of the day, accolades come with the position."
A vital piece to Richardson's success has been FAMU wide receiver Jamari Gassett .
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Gassett has coined Richardson as 'Mr. Make It Happen,' for the quarterback's ability to improvise and keep plays alive.
Gassett is Richardson's top target, with 24 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Gassett said that he and Richardson built their on-field cohesiveness during the offseason.
"D-Rich is very special, for sure," Gassett said.
"I like him because it doesn't matter what the play call is; he will make it happen. When stuff's not going right, we'll make it work and find each other."
Daniel Richardson gets a fresh start with FAMU football
After a one-season stint at FAU in 2023, Richardson hit the reset button by transferring to FAMU for his final year of college football eligibility.
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He was immediately placed in a preseason quarterback battle.
Sep 23, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Florida Atlantic Owls quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) passes during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Richardson had to earn FAMU's starting quarterback role and the trust of coaches and teammates. Ultimately, he was named the Rattlers' starter days before they opened the 2024 season against Norfolk State.
"I've seen a steady growth and maturation ― getting to know his teammates, building that trust, and winning the locker room over," said FAMU co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Henry Burris .
"He's done that through his constant pursuit of being a professional and perfectionist on a day-to-day basis and as a leader on and off the field."
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Richardson is comfortable.
After acclimating to his new teammates and the FAMU system, Richardson can tap into the innate leadership qualities required for quarterbacks.
"You see the fire coming out of him every day in practice, whereas in the beginning, you saw a guy who was hesitant to say something because he didn't know every teammate on the field with him. You see him coming of age. And that's why he truly galvanizes and empowers his team," Burris said.
"The success starts with number 10 calling the shots when the ball is in his hand every offensive play."
FAMU football quarterback Daniel Richardson is never satisfied
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) looks to throw a pass during the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge NCAA college football game against Norfolk State in Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.
Talking to Richardson, he'd tell you he hasn't arrived yet.
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The comeback drives don't matter to him. Richardson doesn't care what his SWAC and FCS rankings are, either.
There's always room for growth.
"He's very introspective as far as knowing what he needs to improve on and what he can work on," said FAMU offensive coordinator and play-caller Joseph Henry .
"Glad he's here. Proud of him. Each Saturday, I get excited to see what he will do."
Daniel Richardson and FAMU football entering a big-time SWAC contest at Alabama State
Richardson only cares about progress and victories.
The stats will take care of itself, he says.
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"My game is going to elevate every week," Richardson said. "If I throw for 100 or 400 yards ― don't matter. I want to win."
Florida A&M Rattlers take on South Carolina State in first home game of the season Thursday, August 31 2024.
Richardson can get a signature triumph this weekend in just his fifth game with FAMU.
The Rattlers have their SWAC opener at Alabama State on Saturday, kicking off at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. ESPN Plus will broadcast the Week 6 game.
Richardson will be up against the nation's sixth-best defense .
"It'll be a challenge. [Richardson is] a guy that's taken a lot of snaps ― a veteran. So, he knows what he has to do as a quarterback," said Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr.
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"He's consistent. That's the thing. As a defense, you're trying to get a quarterback ― move him around, make him erratic. But the guy's cool and under control. He makes the throws. He knows when to throw it away. He makes the right decisions. He's going to exploit our mistakes.
"So, we have to play a perfect game on the backend and get pressure up front."
For the Rattlers to prevail over the Hornets , FAMU must end its offensive drought that has seen them not reach the endzone since their Week 1 game versus South Carolina State.
"We're going to need him to play well Saturday to give us an opportunity and chance to win the football game," Colzie said of Richardson.
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"If he plays how he's playing, improving, and getting the ball to the guys we know can give us some touchdowns, I like our chances."
FAMU football quarterback has one thing on his mind ― championships
Richardson was one of former FAMU head coach Willie Simmons' final commitments before Simmons departed to become the running backs coach at Duke.
FAMU attracted Richardson after he watched the Rattlers come back to beat Howard 30-26 in last December's Celebration Bowl to claim the program's 16th Black College Football National Championship.
However, with recruits de-committing from FAMU after Simmons' Jan. 1 resignation, Richardson stuck it out and trusted where first-year Rattlers coach Colzie could take the program.
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"Coach Colzie is a great coach, and I heard many great things about him," Richardson said. "A lot of guys stayed. So, put the pieces together, and let's make it happen."
Colzie is grateful that Richardson rolled with the Rattlers.
"I'm glad he's on our football team, and we're not playing against him," Colzie said.
Central Michigan's Daniel Richardson (10) at the 88th Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington State at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021.
Richardson has had a productive college football career that has seen him pass for over 8,000 yards and quarterback the CMU Chippewas to a Sun Bowl victory over Washington State in 2021.
Off the field, he's a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and two months away from obtaining his Master of Business Administration.
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You'd think Richardson has it all. But championships elude him.
So, what's Richardson's goal when college football is all said and done this season?
It's pretty obvious.
"Win a SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl. That's it," Richardson said.
Florida A&M at Alabama State ― Week 6, SWAC
When: Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: ASU Stadium; Montgomery, Alabama
Broadcast: ESPN Plus
Tickets: Purchase Here
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Best QB in the SWAC? FAMU football's Daniel Richardson is aiming higher
