Tony Richards

[East Coast Mustang]

According to the PF 2014 Recruiting Roundup, he was over 250 back in February...

"I haven’t been told yet what they’re thinking for next year. I would assume I’ll redshirt — I’d prefer to redshirt — so I can get settled in to school, learn the system, learn the playbook. I’m only a little over 250 pounds, and when I get to SMU, I’ll see defensive ends who have 20, 30, 40 pounds on me. It would do me some good to spend a year getting bigger and stronger while I learn the offense."

http://ponyfans.com/features/recruit14/ ... php?id=211

[PonyKris89]

Weight for Richards accurate or not, I am still happy to see him being mentioned as impressive enough early to merit consideration!
His dad was a heckova player too.

[ponyboy]

I last saw Tony a few weeks ago and, yeah, he looked about 225 to me. But he's got a great frame -- and plenty of time -- to add a ton of weight. Not worried.

[mrydel]

He does not have plenty of time if they do not redshirt him. It will be a wasted year if they do not develop him properly.

[ponyboy]

I believe he's going to be redshirted.

[Digetydog]

No, from what I've heard that 235 is about right. Definitely a red-shirt year to put on 45-50 lbs.

Not sure about Mitchell's weight, but also hear that Ngalo, Rhone & Mitchell all look like good future players at LB with a lot of speed.

well, there was a story in the DMN this morning mentioning him as a potential starter this year. I don't see how that's possible at 237...

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com ... line.html/

Three freshmen competing for starting jobs on SMU’s offensive line

Local products Evan Brown, Tony Richards and Chad Pursley have established themselves as contenders for starting jobs on the offensive line.

Brown, 6-3, 305, hails from Southlake Carroll; Richards, 6-5, 237, is from Highland Park; and Pursley, 6-4, 280, from Mansfield Legacy. Brown has worked with the starting group the past two days in practice.

“He’s the real deal, so he’ll get a chance to play,” coach June Jones said of Brown. “He’s real strong and he’s very smart. Pursley and Tony Richards look like they paid attention last week and know what to do. I’ve been impressed with them.”

His father was a beast.

[mrydel]

I believe he's going to be redshirted.

All the reports are saying he is competing for a starting position don't they?

[Grant Carter]

I believe he's going to be redshirted.

All the reports are saying he is competing for a starting position don't they?

I think all of the reports are based on a dmn headline that said he was one of three freshman competing for a starting spot. Of course, that headline was above an article that said nothing about Richards competing for a starting spot. It quoted June as saying brown was competing for a spot. He mentioned Richards and the other guy as people you could tell paid attention the previous week, which seems a long way from saying he is in the mix to start.

If there was another report that did not just build off the dmn headline then I would love to see it.

[mrydel]

I was just going on what I have heard and I am half deaf and 350 miles away. Hopefully he will be redshifted as I did read he said he wanted to do.

[Stallion]

mrydel is closer to his optimum playing weight-you may have to be the 12 Man for the OLine

[mrydel]

mrydel is closer to his optimum playing weight-you may have to be the 12 Man for the OLine

I have enough weight for 12 and 13.

[Planter's Punch]

If he wants to insure he redshirts, going in way under weight is a valid strategy.

I thought we had reached a point were we no longer had to sign undersized lineman in the hopes they grow and we carve out a few diamonds in the rough. But given this last recruiting class and weight issues even with upper class-men it is a real regress. Is Phil Bennett our strength and conditioning coach now?

[StallionsModelT]

Diamond in the rough recruiting is easier b/c you don't have to invest 5-8 months fighting against the big boys. Instead you grab a bunch of kids who were headed to A&M-Commerce or Tarleton.

[WordUpBU]

I last saw Tony a few weeks ago and, yeah, he looked about 225 to me. But he's got a great frame -- and plenty of time -- to add a ton of weight. Not worried.

Former BU OT and 1st round pick Jason Smith was recruited as a 6'5 220 pound TE/OL. You can develop them over time with the right frame and strength program.

[Digetydog]

If he wants to insure he redshirts, going in way under weight is a valid strategy.

I thought we had reached a point were we no longer had to sign undersized lineman in the hopes they grow and we carve out a few diamonds in the rough. But given this last recruiting class and weight issues even with upper class-men it is a real regress. Is Phil Bennett our strength and conditioning coach now?

If he hadn't been forced to leave because of the Death Penalty, his father would have gone down as one of SMU's best lineman ever.

With that big frame, they were going to Tony Richards a scholarship.