Anthony Richardson 'Ready to Carry the Torch' of Great Colts QBs
When Chris Ballard was asked at the NFL Combine how he felt about picking at No.4, the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts was confident they would get a great player.
"I think we'll get the best player in the draft, to be quite honest with you," Ballard said.
A few years from now, he could be proven right.
The Colts selected quarterback Anthony Richardson with the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night. The 20-year-old out of Florida becomes the first quarterback selected by the Colts in the first round since Andrew Luck in 2012. The Colts hope that Richardson can finally be the franchise quarterback they have desperately needed since Luck retried in 2019.
"It feels good (to be drafted)," Richardson said Thursday night. "I always believed in myself. That was the whole game plan, even declaring (for the draft). Better myself and have faith in myself and my ability. And the Colts believe in me, so I'm ready to get to work.”
The Colts have been known for high-level quarterback play over the last 25 years. That happens when you have Peyton Manning and Luck as the leaders of your franchise. Richardson is the next quarterback to be taken high in the first round by Indy and is ready to continue that legacy.
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"Even having that whole franchise trusting in me and believing in me, that means a lot to me first of all," Richardson admitted. "Even getting to this moment, to this point, that definitely means a lot to myself as well. It's just a blessing and I'm ready to get to work. Two legends were playing here before me, and I'm just ready to carry the torch.
“I definitely take pride in it," he continued. "You talked about Peyton (Manning), you talked about Andrew (Luck), you know, great QBs. Legends right there. For me to be picked as high as I was, it lets me know that Colts Nation believes in me. So, I’m definitely going to put the work in, make sure I’m up there with those guys.”
Richardson had a hunch that he might be heading to Indianapolis. The Colts and Richardson kept in constant communication throughout the draft process and had a great connection from the very beginning. The team made it known to the quarterback that he would be their target.
"They called me before the draft and kind of let me know if things worked in favor in their way they were going to pick me up," Richardson revealed. "Once I saw the fourth pick was up I kind of had that feeling that they were going to give me call. They gave me the call and I celebrated with my family and just tears started rolling down ... I fell in love with the people in the building when I was there on my visit. Just talking to coach (Shane Steichen), just talking to Chris Ballard – just talking to those guys and getting familiar with them it felt like home. Now they picked me up and I’m ready to come home.”
It was an emotional night for Richardson and his entire family. A native of Gainesville, Florida, Richardson has not had an easy road up to this point. His father was not in the picture for much of his life. His mother had to work multiple jobs to support their family. Richardson took care of his little brother while his mother was working. The game of football was his escape.
"Football kind of raised me. My mom was always busy. My pops wasn't there as much. So, I kind of leaned on football and my coaches to raise me. I learned a lot of lessons through this game. It's gotten me to many places throughout my life. It's even gotten me here. So, I'm definitely thankful for this game and I'm just ready."
Richardson may be the most athletic quarterback prospect the NFL has ever seen. At 6'4" and 244 pounds, Richardson ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine while breaking the quarterback record for vertical jump (40.5") and broad jump (10'9").
But Richardson is not just an athlete. He has a howitzer attached to his right shoulder and immediately enters the NFL with one of the strongest arms in the league. Defenses will need to respect his arm talent as he can make every throw imaginable.
He can also gash defenses with his legs. The speed and quickness he possesses allow him to run away from defenders. Richardson runs with power, making it difficult to bring him down with just one defender. Richardson is a true dual-threat quarterback.
Mentally, Richardson has shown he can process information quickly and make all the reads necessary to play quarterback in the NFL. He has a great sense of pressure in the pocket and can create when the play breaks down. While he will need to improve his accuracy and decision-making, Richardson has all the pieces necessary to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Below is an excerpt from the 2023 Indy Draft Guide on Richardson's fit with the Colts:
Richardson could be the alien the Colts have been searching for at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired. Arguably the most athletic quarterback prospect the NFL has ever seen with his combination of size, speed, and explosiveness, Richardson also has the strongest arm in the class. While he has issues with his mechanics that need to be cleaned up, Richardson is not as raw as people might think and has shown to improve with reps and experience. With Shane Steichen at the helm directing his development and the system he will be in, the sky’s the limit for Richardson in Indy.
Richardson's connection with head coach Shane Steichen will be a major piece to the puzzle as Steichen builds an offense around the unique talent at quarterback. Many people thought Richardson would be a great fit in Indy due to Steichen's work with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts went from a raw prospect to an MVP candidate under Steichen.
The hope is that Richardson will have a similar journey to Hurts with Steichen, allowing him to reach his sky-high ceiling. But it will take a lot of hard work to get there, and Richardson is ready for the ride.
“For one, I’m a hard worker," Richardson explained. "I truly believe that and I’m wiling to work hard – work harder than anybody. Two, God blessed me with physical abilities that not every quarterback has. People see me, they don’t think I’m a quarterback. I’m not an average quarterback and I can do things other QBs can’t do. I definitely take pride in that. Then I’m also willing to learn. I’m willing to be just as good or if not better than all these quarterbacks in the draft or all the quarterbacks in the league. That’s why I feel like I’m one of the greatest.”
The Colts have been riding the quarterback carousel for four painful seasons. There has not been much winning in Indy since Luck retired. Richardson is hoping to change that.
“I am going to bring energy. I am going to bring hard work. God willing – I’m going to bring a Super Bowl.”
More Colts Draft Picks
- Round 2 Pick 44: CB Julius Brents - Kansas State
- Round 3 Pick 79: WR Josh Downs - North Carolina
- Round 4 Pick 106: OT Blake Freeland - BYU
- Round 4 Pick 110: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore - Northwestern
- Round 5 Pick 138: CB Darius Rush - South Carolina
- Round 5 Pick 158: S Daniel Scott - California
- Round 5 Pick 162: TE Will Mallory - Miami
- Round 5 Pick 176: RB Evan Hull - Northwestern
- Round 6 Pick 211: DE Titus Leo - Wagner
- Round 7 Pick 221: CB Jaylon Jones - Texas A&M
- Round 7 Pick 236: OT Jake Witt - Northern Michigan
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