NFL Draft: Gators QB Anthony Richardson Selected by Indianapolis Colts
Photo: Anthony Richardson; Credit: Anthony Richardson
The Indianapolis Colts have selected Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson becomes the third quarterback selected in the first four picks of the draft, joining Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers) and CJ Stroud (Houston Texans).
After several seasons of electing to look in the direction of one-year rental quarterbacks, bringing in Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, the Colts' new leadership of former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen stopped that monotonous cycle.
Indianapolis now has what they expect to be their quarterback of the future and arguably the highest-ceiling player in the draft pool. The passer will join a talented young core of skill position players on the Indy offense, highlighted by running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Richardson, a one-year starter at the University of Florida, displayed impeccable size — at 6-foot-33/4, 244 pounds — athleticism and arm strength in his lone season as the leading signal caller. He compiled 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 53.8% completion through the air while adding 654 yards and nine scores on the ground in 2022.
Despite an impressive compilation of highlights, the Gainesville native failed to elevate Florida from its 6-7 status in 2021, remaining stagnant under new leadership in its latest campaign.
The year was underwhelming relative to his potential, but NFL scouting personnel quickly sifted through the stat sheet and box scores to deem Richardson's woes were primarily connected to his inexperience.
While his college output failed to meet expectations — at least as a passer — the intangibles he displayed drew considerable attention throughout the season. His expectedly high ceiling outweighed the concerns, resulting in his standing as a consensus top-ten pick in the months leading up to the draft.
A record-breaking NFL Combine performance solidified those projections.
He, ultimately, earned a top-five selection.
Richardson is the fifth Gators quarterback to be taken in the first round, joining Steve Spurrier (1967, No. 3), John Reaves (1972, No. 14), Rex Grossman (2003, No. 22) and Tim Tebow (2010, No. 25).
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