Can he put it together at the northern border?
This is the question facing former University of Alabama running back Trent Richardson, as he was signed to the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League today.
Before encountering problems in the National Football League, Richardson was the third overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns.
After having a successful rookie season, the Pensacola (Fla.) native would struggle with weight and personal issues – which led to him bouncing around the league from Cleveland to Baltimore.
Four teams provided him opportunities in five years prior to Richardson getting cut from the Ravens on Aug. 2, 2016.
Welcome to Riderville, Trent Richardson.#RiderPride pic.twitter.com/2tuBUyFbdW
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) September 26, 2017
During his time away from football, the 27-year-old trained with Mike McCoy — former Crimson Tide receiver and co-founder of Warehouse Performance Institue.
Under McCoy, Richardson was challenged as an athlete and person to rebuild his image.
Regardless of an NFL team not calling him, many players that took the CFL or Arena Football League (AFL) route ended up making to the cash cow of football.
NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks Warren Moon and Kurt Warner both come to mind.
While Moon’s career started in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos (1978-83), Warner’s began in the AFL with the Iowa Barnstormers (1995-97). Both would have tremendous success in the NFL, and Warner in particular went on to achieve a Super Bowl title with the Rams in 1999.
At Alabama, Richardson was a fan favorite.
Once a five-star recruit, he accounted for 3,130 rushing yards in his career – including what was a single-season record of 1,679 yards rushing with 21 touchdowns on 283 carries in 2011.
He accomplished a multitude of accolades in the 2011 season, especially Doak Walker Award, Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American.
From being a two-time BCS national champion at Alabama to gaining an attempt to revive his football career, Tide fans are hoping the best for Richardson moving forward.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
