Reviewing Tennessee's Class of 2009: RTT#4 Nu'Keese Richardson

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 25, 2010 7:30 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Sigh. You knew we'd have to address this eventually, right? It's already been a long series, and you may not have the stomach for this particular entry, but do keep reading, because I have a question for you at the end of it.

Anyway, today we reach RTT#4 in the Class of 2009, Nu'Keese Richardson. Let's start with the promise of morning:

How we rank these guys.

Four stars, ten jars. A top three offer package that included Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan, which doesn't even include the whole Florida-had-to-cheat-and-still-didn't-get-him thing. Monte Kiffin practically did jumping jacks (okay, a jumping jack) describing Richardson at the infamous post-National Signing Day Chest Thumping Tour. Before there was Bryce Brown (double sigh), there was Nu'Keese Richardson. Kiffin's trophy recruit.

How'd he do? Well, let's start with on-the-field:

GP	Rushing				Receiving			Punt Ret.			Kickoff Ret.
	No	Gain	Loss	Net	No	Yds	TD	No	Yds	TD	No	Yds	TD
9	6	65	7	58	8	102	1	6	66	0	13	292	0

Well, that's not bad for a true freshman. Fifty-eight yards on the ground, 102 and a TD through the air, 66 yards on punt returns, and 292 on kickoff returns is not at all shabby, although you might expect it from a ten-jar phenom that makes septuagenarians dance. In fact, if you emphasize the positive, you get two minutes and six seconds of what appears to be extraordinary potential:

Of course that video doesn't show Richardson's tendency to let punts hit the ground right next to him, bouncing wildly between his legs, and other such nonsense.

Such as this nonsense, which happened on November 12, 2009, and which explains why, as the pellet-gun trigger man, he never played for Tennessee again:

Misunderstood prank? A brief lapse in judgment? Maybe not.

So.

Is there any doubt that Nu'Keese Richardson was the biggest bust in the Class of 2009? No one in this class matched the combination of sky-high expectations and the eventual five-yard-long face divot he left on the Shields-Watkins field.

In fact, I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't the biggest bust ever for a Tennessee recruit? We've had greater expectations of players. We've had players fail to perform on Saturdays and do worse things to embarrass the program than try to steal a man's burger with a pellet gun and a Prius. But has anyone in orange ever combined the two with such flair?

I ask you, Vol fans, who else in Tennessee history even comes close?

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Comments

Ouch!

To me, this situation and the events that led up to the grand finale at the Pilot is more painful and degrading to our Alma Mater than the entire Kiffin saga. Now to watch him steal at Wally World makes me sad and relieved all at the same time. There is no doubt that the kid had talent, just like I am pretty sure Kiffin will be successful at USC, but being a Vol means more-more than winning at any price. Anybody who watches this video must feel good about what lies ahead. The 2010 kick off is just around the corner and Dooley is standing on the sidelines.

"Everything we're going to do is going to be done with a foundation of integrity with every aspect of the program. We're going to represent Tennessee with class on and off the field." Coach Derek Dooley

by Rocky Top on May 25, 2010 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

Nu'Keese is certainly up there

in terms of hype vs. reality (keep in mind most of those rushing yards came on that one play against Auburn when we caught them off guard on the first snap), and when you factor in off the field stupidity, it’s hard to top him. I do think Nu’Keese could’ve done some good things here eventually though.

The two names that instantly come to mind for me in terms of biggest bust ever are Brian Darden and Daniel Brooks. Darden was supposed to be one of the best backs in school history, and I think he came here believing way too much of his own hype. Daniel Brooks was supposed to be the next Al Wilson, and probably suffered unfairly because he was also from Jackson…but he was pretty stupid off the field too, since he liked to fight guys on our own basketball team.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on May 25, 2010 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not so sure

Old Nuke was even as good as advertised. He was small, slower than expected, and couldn’t catch. He got cuaght from behind nearly everytime he ran the ball not on KR/PR. That doesn’t even include the off the field stuff.

In any case, Nuke has left the building……..

"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan

Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.

by VolBrian on May 25, 2010 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Brian Darden

Lou Brock loves Lamp.

by birdjam on May 25, 2010 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Bust(ed)

I remember a guy from Lenoir City – Travis Cozart who was supposed to be a huge factor in the early to mid 90 ’s and if i recall was busted off right after spring practice for a gun charge .

by voljay on May 25, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Expectation:Bust Ratio

“BrenSchaeffah” is the only Vol that could compare with the expectation:bust ratio that Nuke gives us. Between his “Michael Vick-like” skills on the field, injury, and eventual off the field “issues”, Schaeffah’s subsequent dismissal from the team left the Vols relying on the sorta-proven Erik Ainge for the next 3 seasons.

Personally, I had lofty expectations for BrenSchaeffah; largely in part due to the change of pace a mobile QB brings to the gam. I’m just not sure where his expectation bar was set for others in Big Orange Country.

by Aerobab on May 25, 2010 8:06 PM EDT reply actions