Palm Beach's top recruit Richardson will help Gators

Related Content Palm Beach No. 1 Recruit LARRY BLUSTEIN'S COMMENTS: Put on quite a show last season as a junior for the 2B state champions. When the Blue Devils needed a big play, he gave them on as a receiver, runner or a special teams star. Georgia, FSU, Alabama, South Carolina, FAU and FIU are among 30 other schools watching.

Percy Harvin can run. Percy Harvin can catch. Basically, Percy Harvin can score from just about anywhere on the field.

And Percy Harvin, a junior this fall, can leave the University of Florida after 2008 if he deems his NFL Draft stock high enough.

But Gators fans might have reason to rejoice, even if they lose their top offensive weapon (not named Tim Tebow, that is). It seems, with a recent commitment, UF might have Percy Part Two in a small-but-versatile, do-everything player from Pahokee: Nu'Keese Richardson.

''That's what they recruited me as,'' Richardson said, referring to the role Harvin played -- which included equal parts carries (83 for 764 yards and six touchdowns last year) and catches (59 for 858, four scores).

Funny the Gators see versatility in Richardson.

He is listed -- and was recruited -- as a wide receiver.

He returns kicks and punts.

Oh, and coach Blaze Thompson has called upon Richardson to play quarterback this year, with longtime starter Anthony Sheppard gone to Western Kentucky.

''It's [arguable] in high school that you need your best athlete touching the ball the most,'' Thompson said, ``and he's arguably one of our best athletes.''

It might not even be arguable. Richardson scored touchdowns by throwing, catching and returning last season, earning recruiting analyst Larry Blustein's No. 1 ranking in Palm Beach County.

There are knocks, though. Richardson isn't big -- he's listed at 5-10, 170 pounds. On last year's 2B state championship team, he played behind senior wideouts Martavious Odoms (who signed with Michigan) and Antavious Wilson (Buffalo), meaning his experience at the position isn't what it could be. Add this year's stint at quarterback, and he might not be as polished a pass-catcher as some might like, despite Thompson's insistence that Richardson is receiver-ready.

''He can play wide receiver if they want to put him out there,'' Thompson said. ``He's strong enough to get out of the bump-and-run, to beat man coverage.''

Plus, Richardson isn't getting quite the attention or accolades Harvin received before going to Gainesville (many recruiting services don't have Richardson in the top 10 among 2009 receivers; Harvin was Rivals.com's No. 1 recruit in 2006).

Still, an offer from coach Urban Meyer -- and a spot alongside former teammate Janoris Jenkins, a defensive back who signed with UF in February -- has to mean something.

Thompson even said coaches at Georgia, a one-time Richardson suitor, were telling the receiver they would alter their traditional offense to make use of his versatility.

But the Gators' total package of school and sports won Richardson over -- ''I'm in love with University of Florida,'' he said -- and in 2009, he just might win over fans longing for the days of one of the more dynamic athletes in UF history.

''He's got all the intangibles,'' Thompson said. ``He's a fun kid to watch, plug in where you can.

''But he still has to go up there and play like Percy Harvin,'' Thompson said. ``Because Percy Harvin's the real deal.''