Wrighter and Richardson
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:09 pmMarlin duo hopes to play, stick together
By CHAD CONINE Tribune-Herald staff writer
MARLIN — It's difficult to separate Marlin defensive backs D'Nerian Wrighter and Red Richardson.
Richardson lives with Wrighter's family. They share a bathroom. One can finish the other's sentences. On the football field they have an uncommon understanding and trust in each other.
"I know when we're on the field, whatever side he's the corner, I know I don't have to worry about that side of the field," Wrighter said.
This past season the pair played a huge role in helping the Bulldogs reach the 3A Division II state championship game. Wrighter, a safety, made 87 tackles and seven interceptions, while Richardson had 84 stops and six picks at cornerback. They definitely work well together, but that doesn't mean they have co-dependency issues.
In fact, the time might be quickly approaching for Wrighter and Richardson to choose different paths. Wrighter made his official recruiting visit to Missouri on Friday, but the Tigers aren't on Richardson's list. Next week both will go to Arkansas, the duo's likely choice according to the recruiting rumor mill.
But Richardson and Wrighter aren't as sure as the so-called experts.
"We consider Arkansas just like we consider all the other schools," Richardson said. "We don't want anybody to feel like we favor Arkansas. It's not like we're just committed to Arkansas. It's just that we like Arkansas. I like Baylor. I like Houston. I like all of them."
Richardson's tendency to talk about himself and Wrighter as a package deal comes from the fact that they would like to play together in college. Wrighter said he thinks there's a 90 percent chance that can happen, but it has to be the right situation. They said they don't want to go to a program where one gets a chance to play right away, while the other watches from the sideline.
That's where the difference in public perception of Wrighter and Richardson could become a factor.
Wrighter is ranked among the state's top 100 prospects on Rivals.com and he's the 27th rated safety in the nation. Richardson hasn't received the same kind of recognition. Also, Wrighter said he has already made a qualifying test score on the SAT to be eligible next fall. Richardson is confident he will achieve the necessary results, but he hasn't yet and won't take the SAT again until the next time it's offered in March.
These facts make Wrighter a more attractive prospect on paper, but Richardson still has the potential to be an impact player at the collegiate level.
"Red was as good a corner as I saw at the Nike camp last spring," said Randy Rodgers, a former University of Texas recruiting coordinator who operates a recruiting business for college coaches. "He had a great sophomore year. He didn't have great stats as a junior because nobody would throw over there. But I don't pay much attention to stats. I think he's probably as good a corner as there is around."
Marlin coach Jerry Malone said he, Richardson and Wrighter are planning to meet with members of the Baylor coaching staff in the near future. While the players hesitated to tab Arkansas as their choice, they agreed that Baylor seemed like an attractive option.
"I like Baylor, too, because it fits with everything," Wrighter said. "I know we can get early playing time."
Richardson indicated that he would like to stay close to Marlin and his 10-month-old son Marion. Wrighter said he wouldn't mind going farther away, even to an out-of-state school. He has a daughter, Simone, who is 4, but he said she's just as happy talking to her dad on the phone or seeing him on television.
On Wednesday, Wrighter and Richardson were still carefully weighing their options and they seemed content to keep people guessing.
"A school that we really like is a secret," Wrighter said. "It's got to come out real soon. I think both of us really like this school. This school might land both of us with a commitment on Feb. 4."
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© 2004 Cox Newspapers, Inc. - The Waco Tribune-Herald
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Registered site users, you may edit your
By CHAD CONINE Tribune-Herald staff writer
MARLIN — It's difficult to separate Marlin defensive backs D'Nerian Wrighter and Red Richardson.
Richardson lives with Wrighter's family. They share a bathroom. One can finish the other's sentences. On the football field they have an uncommon understanding and trust in each other.
"I know when we're on the field, whatever side he's the corner, I know I don't have to worry about that side of the field," Wrighter said.
This past season the pair played a huge role in helping the Bulldogs reach the 3A Division II state championship game. Wrighter, a safety, made 87 tackles and seven interceptions, while Richardson had 84 stops and six picks at cornerback. They definitely work well together, but that doesn't mean they have co-dependency issues.
In fact, the time might be quickly approaching for Wrighter and Richardson to choose different paths. Wrighter made his official recruiting visit to Missouri on Friday, but the Tigers aren't on Richardson's list. Next week both will go to Arkansas, the duo's likely choice according to the recruiting rumor mill.
But Richardson and Wrighter aren't as sure as the so-called experts.
"We consider Arkansas just like we consider all the other schools," Richardson said. "We don't want anybody to feel like we favor Arkansas. It's not like we're just committed to Arkansas. It's just that we like Arkansas. I like Baylor. I like Houston. I like all of them."
Richardson's tendency to talk about himself and Wrighter as a package deal comes from the fact that they would like to play together in college. Wrighter said he thinks there's a 90 percent chance that can happen, but it has to be the right situation. They said they don't want to go to a program where one gets a chance to play right away, while the other watches from the sideline.
That's where the difference in public perception of Wrighter and Richardson could become a factor.
Wrighter is ranked among the state's top 100 prospects on Rivals.com and he's the 27th rated safety in the nation. Richardson hasn't received the same kind of recognition. Also, Wrighter said he has already made a qualifying test score on the SAT to be eligible next fall. Richardson is confident he will achieve the necessary results, but he hasn't yet and won't take the SAT again until the next time it's offered in March.
These facts make Wrighter a more attractive prospect on paper, but Richardson still has the potential to be an impact player at the collegiate level.
"Red was as good a corner as I saw at the Nike camp last spring," said Randy Rodgers, a former University of Texas recruiting coordinator who operates a recruiting business for college coaches. "He had a great sophomore year. He didn't have great stats as a junior because nobody would throw over there. But I don't pay much attention to stats. I think he's probably as good a corner as there is around."
Marlin coach Jerry Malone said he, Richardson and Wrighter are planning to meet with members of the Baylor coaching staff in the near future. While the players hesitated to tab Arkansas as their choice, they agreed that Baylor seemed like an attractive option.
"I like Baylor, too, because it fits with everything," Wrighter said. "I know we can get early playing time."
Richardson indicated that he would like to stay close to Marlin and his 10-month-old son Marion. Wrighter said he wouldn't mind going farther away, even to an out-of-state school. He has a daughter, Simone, who is 4, but he said she's just as happy talking to her dad on the phone or seeing him on television.
On Wednesday, Wrighter and Richardson were still carefully weighing their options and they seemed content to keep people guessing.
"A school that we really like is a secret," Wrighter said. "It's got to come out real soon. I think both of us really like this school. This school might land both of us with a commitment on Feb. 4."
Email this page to a friend
© 2004 Cox Newspapers, Inc. - The Waco Tribune-Herald
By using this service, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement and privacy policy.
Registered site users, you may edit your