Demani Richardson
{{Short description|American football defensive back (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Demani Richardson
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| currentteam = Carolina Panthers
| number = 36
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|10|7}}
| birth_place = Waxahachie, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 215
| high_school = Waxahachie {{nowrap|(Waxahachie, Texas)}}
| college = Texas A&M (2019–2023)
| undraftedyear = 2024
| pastteams =
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 51
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 2
| statlabel7 = Touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = RichDe03
}}
Demani Richardson (born October 7, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies.
Early life
Richardson grew up in Waxahachie, Texas and attended Waxahachie High School. In Richardson's high school career, he played on offense and defense. On offense, he rushed for 556 yards and seven touchdowns, while also hauling in 13 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 72 tackles with seven being for a loss, one sack, three pass deflections, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.{{cite web |title=Demani Richardson Football Stats |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/tx/waxahachie/waxahachie-indians/athletes/demani-richardson/football/stats/?careerid=31d8kmq0ruvdd |website=MaxPreps.com |access-date=August 16, 2023}} Richardson committed to play college football at Texas A&M.{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=EJ |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Four-star Waxahachie DB Demani Richardson opens up on his commitment to Texas A&M, Aggies' future |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2018/05/09/four-star-waxahachie-db-demani-richardson-opens-up-on-his-commitment-to-texas-am-aggies-future/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=The Dallas Morning News}}{{Cite web |last=Wilkerson |first=William |date=May 29, 2018 |title=DFW Elite: Do-it-all athlete committed to Aggies, but others trying to lure him away |url=https://star-telegram.com/sports/dfwvarsity/prep-football/article212133039.html |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Fort Worth Star-Telegram}}
College career
In week six of the 2019 season, Richardson picked off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the red zone for his first career interceptions, and Tua's first in the 2019 season, but the Aggies lost 48–27 against Alabama.{{Cite web |last=Byington |first=Alex |date=October 12, 2019 |title=3 takeaways as top-ranked Alabama football rolls over No. 21 Texas A&M |url=https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/2019/10/12/3-takeaways-alabama-fotball-rolls-over-no-21-texas-a-m/3931600002/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=The Montgomery Adviser}} Richardson finished the 2019 campaign with 71 tackles with 0.5 going for a loss, and 0.5 sacks, two pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.{{cite web |title=Demani Richardson 2019 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/demani-richardson-1/gamelog/2019/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=August 16, 2023}} For his performance, Richardson was named to the SEC all-freshman team.{{Cite web |last=Passwaters |first=Mark |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Four Aggies named to SEC All-Freshman team |url=https://tamu.rivals.com/news/four-aggies-named-to-sec-all-freshman-team |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=Rivals.com}} Richardson started the 2020 season strong, as in week one he totalled seven tackles and an interception in Texas A&M's 17–12 win over Vanderbilt.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=John |date=September 27, 2020 |title=Aggies start season with 17-12 win over Vanderbilt |url=https://www.kbtx.com/2020/09/27/aggies-start-season-with-17-12-win-over-vanderbilt/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=KBTX}} Richardson finished the 2020 season with 36 tackles with 2.5 going for a loss, a pass deflection, and an interception.{{cite web |title=Demani Richardson 2020 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/demani-richardson-1/gamelog/2020/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=August 16, 2023}} In week six of the 2021 season, Richardson picked off quarterback Bryce Young in the endzone, helping Texas A&M upset #1 Alabama 41–38.{{cite web |last1=Farner |first1=Keith |title=Demani Richardson makes TD-saving pick, gives Texas A&M more momentum |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tamu-football/demani-richardson-makes-td-saving-pick-gives-texas-am-more-momentum/ |website=Saturday Down South |access-date=August 16, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Erik |title=No. 1 Alabama vs. Texas A&M Aggies college football video highlights, final score |url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/college/2021/10/09/alabama-vs-texas-am-aggies-football-video-highlights-score/6065784001/ |website=Tuscaloosa News |access-date=August 16, 2023}} In week eleven, Richardson posted 13 tackles in a loss to Ole Miss.{{cite web |last1=Tarpley |first1=Jeff |title=Texas A&M-Ole Miss Game notes: Aggies hit some milestones |url=https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/article/texas-am-ole-miss-game-notes-football-2021-175313128/ |website=247Sports |access-date=August 16, 2023}} Richardson finished the 2021 season with 65 tackles with 6.5 going for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.{{cite web |title=Demani Richardson 2021 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/demani-richardson-1/gamelog/2021/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=August 16, 2023}} For his performance, Richardson was named third-team all-SEC by Pro Football Focus.{{cite web |title=The 2021 College Football All-SEC Team |url=https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2021-all-sec-team-offensive-defensive-player-of-the-year-bryce-young-alabama-nakobe-dean-georgia |website=PFF |access-date=August 16, 2023}}
Richardson got off to a good start in the 2022 season, as in week four he returned a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown, as he helped Texas A&M beat #10 Arkansas 23–21.{{cite web |title=Achane Leads No. 23 Texas A&M Past No. 10 Arkansas, 23-21 |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/achane-leads-no-23-texas-am-past-no-10-arkansas-23-21/3080666/ |website=NBCDWF |access-date=August 16, 2023}} In Texas A&M's season finale, Richardson returned a fumble for a touchdown to give Texas A&M the lead, as he would help the Aggies upset #5 LSU 38–23. For his performance, Richardson was named the SEC co-defensive player of the week.{{cite web |last1=Riley |first1=Koki |title=LSU football embarrassed by Texas A&M, College Football Playoff hopes dashed |url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2022/11/27/lsu-football-texas-am-loss-college-football-playoff-brian-kelly/69656912007/ |website=The Daily Advertiser |access-date=August 16, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Week 13: Football Players of the Week |url=https://www.secsports.com/article/35131047/football-players-week |website=SEC |access-date=August 16, 2023}} Richardson finished the 2022 season with 73 tackles with 2.5 being for a loss, five pass deflections, an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumbles, and two touchdowns.{{cite web |title=Demani Richardson 2022 Game Logs |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/demani-richardson-1/gamelog/2022/ |website=Sports Reference |access-date=August 16, 2023}} Instead of opting for the 2023 NFL draft, Richardson decided to return to Texas A&M for his final year.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Luke |title=Demani Richardson opts to return for 2023 season |url=https://www.thebatt.com/sports/demani-richardson-opts-to-return-for-2023-season/article_7295acd8-8a4e-11ed-a9e1-77625c0a23b3.amp.html |website=The Battalion |access-date=August 16, 2023}} Richardson was named preseason second-team all-SEC.{{cite web |last1=Backus |first1=Will |title=2023 Preseason All-SEC football teams: Georgia and Alabama lead the way with 16 selections each |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2023-preseason-all-sec-football-teams-georgia-and-alabama-lead-the-way-with-16-selections-each/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=August 16, 2023}} He would also be named a third-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports.{{cite web |last1=Lassan |first1=Steven |title=2023 College Football Preseason All-America Team |url=https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-2023-all-america-team |website=Athlon Sports |access-date=August 16, 2023}} Richardson was also named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list, which is awarded to the nation's best defensive back.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Cole |title=Aggies Safety Demani Richardson Named To Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List |url=https://www.si.com/college/tamu/football/tamu-aggies-demani-richardson-jim-thorpe-award-2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=August 16, 2023}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 1/2
| weight = 210
| dash = 4.60
| ten split = 1.54
| twenty split = 2.67
| shuttle = 4.40
| cone drill = 7.18
| vertical = 31.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| arm span = 32
| hand span = 9 7/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/demani-richardson/32005249-4340-8520-ae0c-f3e223703703 |title=Demani Richardson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1030978&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Demani Richardson College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 28, 2024}}
}}
Richardson signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024.{{cite web|title=Panthers make roster moves, including signing 19 undrafted free agents|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-make-roster-moves-including-signing-18-undrafted-free-agents|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=May 10, 2024}} He was waived on August 28, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Panthers claim six new players off waivers|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-claim-six-new-players-off-waivers|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=August 28, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Panthers add four more to the practice squad|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-add-four-more-to-the-practice-squad|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=August 29, 2024}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 24.{{cite web|title=Adam Thielen placed on injured reserve, among other moves|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/adam-thielen-placed-on-injured-reserve-among-other-moves-jordan-fuller|author=Gantt, Darin|website=Panthers.com|date=September 24, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://12thman.com/sports/football/roster/demani--richardson/11570 Texas A&M Aggies bio]
- [https://www.panthers.com/team/players-roster/demani-richardson/ Carolina Panthers bio]
{{Carolina Panthers roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardson, Demani}}
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Waxahachie High School alumni
Category:Texas A&M Aggies football players
Category:Players of American football from Ellis County, Texas