Richardson was persuaded by Kiffin's offense

Nu'keese Richardson

Nu'keese Richardson

Nu’Keese Richardson always dreamed of playing for an offense like the ones he saw rolling up points for Southern California.

So when former USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin landed at Tennessee, Richardson was very interested.

“I love his offense,” the 5-foot-9, 150-pound receiver from Pahokee (Fla.) High School said after signing to play for the Vols on Wednesday. “ Once he came to Tennessee, that pretty much sealed the deal for me.”

In case Richardson, who committed to Florida in October, had any doubts, an official visit to Knoxville last weekend was the clincher.

“Everything,” Richardson said when asked what he liked about UT. “There wasn’t a thing that I didn’t like. I was sold - the stadium, the basketball arena, the facilities, everything.”

Yet there was a commitment to overcome. Richardson had to call Florida coaches before announcing his intentions.

“It was tough,” Richardson said of making the phone call, “but at the same time I had to do what’s best for me.”

Richardson is reason for UT to celebrate, although the decision was so close, it almost never happened.

“It was so close that I wanted to move it (his press conference) back,” Richardson said. “I wanted to wait. But I felt if I did too much thinking it would make it harder on me.”

Richardson admitted that the crowd in attendance for his press conference was a bit taken aback by his decision – especially since the event was held in South Florida.

“They were shocked,” Richardson said. “They applauded because they knew it was good for me.”

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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