North Carolina Central University Athletics

CAREER AT NCCU (2012-15)
Broke school career records for solo tackles (168) and kickoff return yard average (28.1). Among NCCU career leaders, finished sixth in tackles with 263 and tied for 11th in passes defended with 31 (7 interceptions, 24 pass break-ups). Played in 45 games, including 42 as a starter. [Career Statistics PDF]

2015 - REDSHIRT SENIOR SEASON
Played in 10 of 11 games (missed Bethune-Cookman contest) with 10 starts at cornerback. Voted All-MEAC Second Team as both a defensive back and return specialist. Ranked third in MEAC with team-best 11 passes defended (two interceptions and nine pass break-ups), while adding 52 tackles (38 solo – second on team) with 1.5 stops for a loss. Led conference and ranked 10th in the nation with an average of 28.1 yards per kickoff return (14 for 394 yards, 1 TD). Tallied season-best nine tackles (seven solo) with two pass break-ups at Florida A&M (Oct. 10). Returned first career kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against Saint Augustine's (Sept. 5). 

2014 - REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASON
Started all 12 games at cornerback.  Racked up 58 total tackles and a team second-best 44 solo tackles.  Notched a season-high nine tackles against Charlotte (Sept. 13) with eight unassisted tackles and one helper.  Broke up a team second-best seven passes with a season-high three against Savannah State (Oct. 25).  Had a decisive fumble recovery at the goal line against North Carolina A&T (Nov. 22) in championship-clinching game.  Voted to Preseason All-MEAC Third Team. 

2013 - REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON
Started all 12 games in the Eagles' secondary. Ranked second on the team and 19th in the MEAC with 88 total tackles (51 solo). Topped the team and tied for fourth in the MEAC with 3 fumble recoveries.  Tallied 5 passes defended with 2 interceptions and 3 pass deflections. Amassed season-high 11 tackles versus S.C. State (Oct. 10). Recovered 2 fumbles and collected 10 tackles at N.C. A&T (Nov. 23).

2012 - REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON
Appeared in all 11 games, including eight as a starter. Selected to College Sports Journal Football Championship Subdivision Freshman All-America team. Finished his rookie season as NCCU’s second-leading tackler with 65 total takedowns. Ranked second on the team with three interceptions and third on the squad with eight passes defended (three interceptions, five pass break-ups). Topped the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and tied for second among NCAA-FCS leaders with four fumble recoveries. Named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 6 tackles, 2 pass break-ups and intercepting a pass in the end zone to save a touchdown at Savannah State (Sept. 22). Chosen MEAC Rookie of the Week after posting seven tackles with a fumble recovery and an interception to set up a fourth-quarter touchdown in a nationally-televised win over Hampton (Oct. 18). Amassed a season-high 12 tackles (8 solo) and a fumble recovery against conference champion Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 27). Closed out rookie campaign by collecting 11 stops, including an assisted tackle for a loss, and a fumble recovery versus rival North Carolina A&T (Nov. 17).

WISE HIGH SCHOOL
Selected First-Team County 4A All-League and Maryland Big School All-State Honorable Mention. Team advanced to second consecutive 4A state championship game in 2010. Team posted a 12-2 overall record in 2010.

PERSONAL
Born September 7, 1993, in Germany. Parents are Damon and Traci Richardson. Younger brother Tre was a defensive teammate at NCCU. Ryan graduated from NCCU in December 2015 with a degree in criminal justice.
 

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