And the greatest recruit in Mizzou football history… fails to qualify academically

Sheldon Richardson, regarded by rivals.com as the no. 4 overall player in the nation coming out of high school,  will not suit up for Missouri this fall

Sheldon Richardson showed flashes of brilliance during the U.S. Army All American game. It could be a while before Missouri fans see him in the black and gold again though.

   Some things in life are worth waiting for.  That is the hope for Gary Pinkel and the rest of the Missouri football program following the news that the most heralded recruit in program history will not make it to campus this fall.

   Sheldon Richardson, a freaky-good athlete out of Gateway Tech in St. Louis will be heading for a California Junior College to get his grades in order instead.  However, for those fans worrying he may re-open his recruiting, Richardson’s facebook.com status should alleviate some of those fears.

   “Sheldon Richardson is bout 2 leave 4 cali yea cali its cool i didnt make str8 2 mizzou,” Richardson wrote on the social networking site.  “ima keep my head up like a nose bleed sorry mizzou fans gotta wait a lil while longer but i promise wen i get there we wil b on top n 4 u KU FANS DISSIN ME YALL GOIN SEE ME REAL SOON I PROMISE WHILE IM THERE WE WONT LOSE 2 YALL WACK AZZ R TEXAS R OKALAHOMA YEA I TALK BIG SHIT N I BACK DAT SHIT UP 2 M..I..Z.. GOTTA PROBLEM LET ME KNO HOEZ.”

   He talks a big game but after all the accolades he has received in the past few months it is easy to see why.  Richardson received scholarship offers from Missouri, Miami (FL), Florida, Oklahoma, Minnesota, USC and Tennessee among others.  He was named to the U.S. Army All American team.  He is listed as the best defensive line prospect in the nation and the fourth best prospect overall.  Richardson, a 6’4” 294 lb., athletic specimen has a 40-yard dash time listed at 4.7 seconds.  He even returned kicks in high school.

   However, Missouri will have to wait.  Most players who attend junior college typically do so for two years.  Richardson on the other hand, is planning to enroll for classes this summer, take a full year of school during the traditional school year and then finish up next summer in an effort to make it campus by next fall.  He talks a big game.  Only time will tell if he can back it up.  Mizzou fans, let’s hope so.

-MG

Breaking News: Rumors say Richardson no longer a Tiger

 

Richardson was the highest ranked recruit in Missouri football history.

Perhaps no Missouri recruit has ever garnered as much attention as Sheldon Richardson.  A physical specimen, Richardson was ranked by rivals.com as the #4 overall player in the country coming out of high school.  On National Signing Day, Richardson ended the drama by choosing Missouri over Miami (FL) and just about every other school in the nation.  Many Tiger fans looked forward to seeing Richardson suit up for the Missouri defense this coming fall.  However, that day might not happen.

   According to rumors that The Columns has been hearing, Richardson will not qualify academically to attend the University of Missouri.  The NCAA requires an 18 on the ACT for a player to be eligible, however, schools can impose their own restrictions.

   It appears the Richardson will have to attend junior college this coming  year in an attempt to get his academics in order.  However, none of this information can be confirmed  yet.

   Mizzou fans, keep your fingers crossed.