Trent Richardson never developed into the NFL star he was expected to be as the No. 3 overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, but last week, he played the part of a running back who is well on his way to fulfilling the same potential.
Richardson, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist at Alabama in 2011, played the role of LSU star running back Leonard Fournette as a member of Alabama's scout team last week in practice.
"I think Trent gave a pretty good look, and John Parker, too," said Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey, one of the Crimson Tide's top draft prospects, according to the Alabama Media Group. "I tackled Trent this week, man. That's a big guy, man. It's also pretty cool just to go against those guys, knowing what they've done for the program."
Whatever Richardson's contribution in practice might have been, it couldn't have hurt, as the Alabama defense handled Fournette with ease in a 10-0 shutout of the Tigers. Former UA quarterback John Parker Wilson, a former Atlanta Falcons reserve, helped as the scout-team quarterback, as well. UA coach Nick Saban said earlier this season that the program received approval from the SEC and NCAA to use former players on the scout team. It was apparently a busy week for Richardson, who also reportedly found time to work out for the Kansas City Chiefs, as well.
Richardson starred for three years at Alabama before entering the draft as an underclassman. He was a key member of two Alabama national championship teams, and capped his college career with 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2011.
His pro career, however, never got off the ground.
Richardson lasted less than two seasons as the Cleveland Browns' first-round pick, and the club traded him to the Indianapolis Colts during the 2013 season. He lasted just two years with the Colts, and was cut by the Oakland Raiders prior to the 2015 season.
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