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FSU has big things in works for Leesburg native Richardson

• After sitting the bench for two frustrating seasons, former Lee County star D’Vontrey Richardson’s chances of seeing more playing time are a whole lot better this year.

Scott Chancey

GREENSBORO — Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said he realizes former Lee County High School star D’Vontrey Richardson’s potential at quarterback.

Now it’s time to see what he can do.

“He’s such a dangerous football player,” Bowden said Monday at the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Football Kickoff. “He has a great arm, is an outstanding runner. All he needs is a better understanding of the system.”

Richardson, who was named the team’s “Most Improved Player” after spring workouts earlier this year, has only played in two games — both coming last season. He came in for one play each against both Alabama and Virginia Tech — and each time the calls were designed runs. Against Alabama in Jacksonville, Fla., he was swarmed for a

one-yard loss on his first collegiate carry and also was tackled for a one-yard loss against the Hokies. Richardson has yet to throw a pass during an official college game.

He also saw playing time in Florida State’s bowl game against Kentucky, but only on special teams.

Richardson, a two-sport athlete for the Trojans and FSU, missed the 2007 spring practice to focus on baseball. During this past spring, however, Richardson shied away from the diamond and instead joined Bowden’s team for spring drills.

And it was there he grew by leaps and bounds.

He led the second-string offense by completing 11-of-25 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the spring game.

"It gave me momentum but it also gave me confidence too," Richardson told the Web site Rivals.com last week. “I always wanted to play quarterback but I always had that doubt in the back of my mind, ‘Can I play here?’ I went out there in the spring and I think I did alright and played pretty well. I stepped in after (starter Drew Weatherford)got hurt and felt pretty good in the spring game. I feel more comfortable with the system."

While Weatherford may be battling to keep his role against red-shirt sophomore Christian Ponder, he’s also well aware of Richardson.

“He’s a player — he can be a big-time player,” said Weatherford, whose tenure as the Seminoles’ starting quarterback during the previous three years has been shaky at best. “The things he can do with the ball are just amazing.”

While leading Lee County to a region title his senior year, Richardson — a Herald Dynamite Dozen honoree — also played his way to being the GHSA Class AAAA Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-State pick after throwing for more than 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1,050 more and 17 additional scores.

"What a great athlete; the guy can run all day. He's in great condition and it's just a question of finding the right package for himthat they feel comfortable running,” Seminoles strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud told Rivals.com. “I’m sure he'll be a role player and maybe get a chance to execute that role in a goal-lineoffense or in a special package that we have for him.”

And although Bowden sees plenty of playing time for Richardson at quarterback, he said Monday he doesn’t see Richardson moving past either Ponder or Weatherford.

“D’Vontrey’s got a role to play at quarterback,” Bowden said. “It’s not likely he will be a starter, but he can make plays for us.”

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