Former Ensworth star Antonio Richardson leans toward SEC

Written by

Chip Cirillo

Former Ensworth lineman Antonio Richardson has narrowed his college choices down to five: LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia and Miami.


Four of his finalists are in the Southeastern Conference, which has produced five consecutive BCS champions.



"That was a pretty big factor," Richardson said. "You can't go wrong anywhere in the SEC."

Richardson, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound senior, is ranked as the state's top prospect by Rivals.com. The offensive tackle transferred to Pearl-Cohn in late October for academic reasons.

"My odds are pretty good (in the SEC) when it comes to winning a national championship, but also they (offer) a great education, too," Richardson said. "Georgia has a great educational program and Tennessee is coming up academically, too. LSU is a good academic school. You can't go wrong either way — academically or football-wise."

Richardson intended to take official visits to LSU and Miami this month, but went to Tennessee and Georgia instead the past two weekends. He said late Thursday he would take an official visit to Auburn this weekend.

Richardson plans to announce his decision next Wednesday at Pearl-Cohn.

"It's probably one of the top-five hardest decisions I've ever made in my life," Richardson said. "Everybody is going to have nice facilities and everybody is going to have good academic support. It's going to come down to the people, great coaching and relationships with the players and who's willing to win, who's willing to put the best players on the field."

Richardson played for the East in 13-10 win over the West in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 8 in San Antonio. Rivals ranks him as the nation's No. 7 offensive tackle and the No. 74 overall prospect.