Antwaine Richardson brings depth to Maryland football’s defensive backfield

Profiles in Terpage is back for 2017. Last week, we focused on the linebackers; this week, we’re venturing into the secondary with Cornerbacks Week.

Antwaine Richardson, CB, No. 20

Height: 6’0
Weight: 182 lbs.
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Delray Beach, Florida
High school: Atlantic Community HS

How he got to College Park

Richardson originally committed to Michigan while DJ Durkin was the defensive coordinator in Ann Arbor, but decommitted from the Wolverines in late January. He then committed to Maryland five days later. A three-star recruit, Richardson was the No. 81 cornerback in the Class of 2016, and the No. 126 overall prospect in Florida.

In his first year at Maryland, Richardson played in two games, totaling two tackles in his collegiate debut against Howard.

2017 prospectus

Maryland rotated its defensive backs plenty last year and should do the same this season. The Terps have plenty of bodies in the defensive backfield, and a lot of guys who can play multiple positions. Richardson has a couple things going for him, too. First, at 6’0, he fits the bill for a longer cornerback, more capable of playing physical man coverage, that Durkin has been trying to get into the program. Second, he’s just a Durkin guy. Durkin would have been Richardson’s defensive coordinator at Michigan, and there’s no doubt when he accepted the head coaching job at Maryland, Durkin reached out to Richardson to see if he’d follow him to College Park.

Dream season

Richardson sees the field early and often, locking down teams’ boundary receivers. Shadowing opponents’ second or third option at receiver, Richardson blossoms into a shutdown cornerback and sets himself up for a bigger role in 2018.

Up next

This Terrapin cornerback was a walk-on in the spring of 2016, but earned a scholarship shortly before the season.

Scaletta and jatk13 are first on the board this week.