Two weekends ago, Mark-Antony Richards spent both Saturday and Sunday on campus down in Coral Gables. Richards is one of the more frequent visitors at Miami. He spent Saturday hanging with the players and the coaches. He tried on the uniform and had a photoshoot with his brother. On Sunday, he competed in one of Mark Richt’s 7 on 7 camps with his Wellington teammates.
“I think I did pretty well. I went against some of the top guys in the country. It was great competition overall. I feel like, not only myself but my entire team, I feel like we showcased pretty well playing against South Ridge, which is a top 20 team in the state of Florida. So, really just gave us an idea how we can play. We just have to take it slow. Still have some work to do here obviously.”
Richards spent most of the camp lined up against a fellow Miami recruit and another top player in the country, Tyrique Stevenson. Is there a chance Stevenson and Richards join forces and become a dynamic duo?
“I can’t really say. If we somehow do, it would be awesome. He’s a dawg when you see him out there, so, ya, it would be awesome to play with him.”
The 6’1’’ 197 pound athlete is one of the top players in the state of Florida, but he still acknowledges that he can further improve his game.
“You know I haven’t played safety in a few months so I’m just trying to get back to that. Working on my explosion. Getting from one side of the field to the other. Just trying to become a better athlete. I improved as a leader, I improved as a player. But also work on my speed. You know I only ran a 4.46 and I’m trying to get down to a 4.3. And we are trying to put some more weight on me, look more like a college player for when I get there.”
Richard’s understands how much better he can be if he added more weight, this is why he has set a goal for himself. He wants to be 210 pounds before he leaves for college.
Richards is going to both Auburn and Alabama this summer. He does not have an Alabama offer, but he feels like Saban will offer him on his visit. The good news for Miami is he will return to Miami for Paradise Camp after taking those two visits.
We may have to wait a while before we get a decision for Richards.
“I’m planning for December. The Friday when my school gets out for Christmas break.”
Aside from where he will play, whether or not Richards enrolls early is the biggest unknown.
“Probably. I’m still working on that. Even if I can’t, I feel December will still be a good time to commit. It gives me some time to get close to the coaches even more. I find stuff like that important. And also it’s a benefit to my family.”
There will be developments in his recruitment between now and then. Richards will be releasing his top 10 in July and his top 5 in August. Things will really heat up at that point.
One of the biggest things helping Miami is Richards familiarity with the current players. Miami is a brotherhood and because of Ahmmon Richards, that is already extended to Mark. So which current Miami player is recruiting him the hardest right now?
“Dang, um, its kinda equal. Lawrence Cager, he’s recruiting me pretty hard obviously. We are like brothers you know. Him and Ahmmon are closer, they are more than friends. I’d probably say Lawrence. You know Lawrence understands, he’s been through this.”
“I think I did pretty well. I went against some of the top guys in the country. It was great competition overall. I feel like, not only myself but my entire team, I feel like we showcased pretty well playing against South Ridge, which is a top 20 team in the state of Florida. So, really just gave us an idea how we can play. We just have to take it slow. Still have some work to do here obviously.”
Richards spent most of the camp lined up against a fellow Miami recruit and another top player in the country, Tyrique Stevenson. Is there a chance Stevenson and Richards join forces and become a dynamic duo?
“I can’t really say. If we somehow do, it would be awesome. He’s a dawg when you see him out there, so, ya, it would be awesome to play with him.”
The 6’1’’ 197 pound athlete is one of the top players in the state of Florida, but he still acknowledges that he can further improve his game.
“You know I haven’t played safety in a few months so I’m just trying to get back to that. Working on my explosion. Getting from one side of the field to the other. Just trying to become a better athlete. I improved as a leader, I improved as a player. But also work on my speed. You know I only ran a 4.46 and I’m trying to get down to a 4.3. And we are trying to put some more weight on me, look more like a college player for when I get there.”
Richard’s understands how much better he can be if he added more weight, this is why he has set a goal for himself. He wants to be 210 pounds before he leaves for college.
Richards is going to both Auburn and Alabama this summer. He does not have an Alabama offer, but he feels like Saban will offer him on his visit. The good news for Miami is he will return to Miami for Paradise Camp after taking those two visits.
We may have to wait a while before we get a decision for Richards.
“I’m planning for December. The Friday when my school gets out for Christmas break.”
Aside from where he will play, whether or not Richards enrolls early is the biggest unknown.
“Probably. I’m still working on that. Even if I can’t, I feel December will still be a good time to commit. It gives me some time to get close to the coaches even more. I find stuff like that important. And also it’s a benefit to my family.”
There will be developments in his recruitment between now and then. Richards will be releasing his top 10 in July and his top 5 in August. Things will really heat up at that point.
One of the biggest things helping Miami is Richards familiarity with the current players. Miami is a brotherhood and because of Ahmmon Richards, that is already extended to Mark. So which current Miami player is recruiting him the hardest right now?
“Dang, um, its kinda equal. Lawrence Cager, he’s recruiting me pretty hard obviously. We are like brothers you know. Him and Ahmmon are closer, they are more than friends. I’d probably say Lawrence. You know Lawrence understands, he’s been through this.”
