Sports Illustrated is releasing its top 100 over a two-week span each weekday that began last Monday. Richards was ranked number 55 by Sports Illustrated. He was the only Miami Hurricanes player ranked between 51 and 100.
The rising sophomore wide receiver earned all-American status from ESPN last season. Richards’ teammates’ linebackers Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney also earned freshmen all-American status in 2016.
Richards broke Michael Irvin’s 31-year-old Miami freshman receiving record. He finished the season with 934 yards on 49 receptions with three touchdowns.
Sports Illustrated profile about Richards said:
“To the extent that Richards needed to adjust to the higher level of competition in college last season, it did not seem to affect him much, if at all.