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'Johnny Manziel Type': Aggies Demani Richardson Excited About QB Conner Weigman
Demani Richardson announced late last year that he would return to Aggieland for his senior season, and delay an opportunity to play in the NFL. As he prepares for the upcoming maroon and white game, he's not thinking ahead. He's completely focused on the task at hand: making himself better, and making the Aggies better.
As the maroon and white game approaches and Richardson prepares, there are discussions of rather than scrimmages against teammates as is the tradition, playing an FCS team as the spring warmup. Richardson isn't sure that's such a good idea.
"I feel like that would be fun ... playing against somebody else. I don't know if that would be the smart thing to do but I feel like it would be fun, just getting to play against somebody else."
The Aggies are losing pieces from last season due to graduation and the NFL Draft, but Richardson doesn't think there will be a drop off in the performance of the defense, especially in the secondary. He's excited to see what Tony Grimes and Bryce Anderson can do.
"Tony Grimes, he's a great player, he's always locked in, he's always trying to get better ... I can always know he's doing his job. If I'm looking the other way I know he's doing his job behind me.
"Bryce Anderson is having a really good spring ... I don't know if y'all heard but he's killing it covering-wise, tackling-wise, blitzing ... he's doing everything. I feel like those two guys we're going to have to depend on a lot and I feel like they're both doing a good job."
The decision to return for his senior season was not an easy one, and he notes unfinished business and injuries last year as the primary reasons.
"Last year, many people didn't notice, but I was playing hurt ... I feel like I didn't get to play at 100 percent and that was one of my main goals coming back for my senior year. I feel like playing banged up stopped me from reaching my potential and knowing what I can do."
The Aggies have struggled at the quarterback position in recent years since the departure of Kellen Mond to the NFL in 2021. But Richardson seems excited about the current option in Conner Weigman and likens him to an Aggies legend.
"I feel like Conner has finesse to him, a little bit of swag to him. I didn't play with Johnny Manziel, but he reminds me of a Johnny Manziel type ... he has swagger to him, and they both talk trash, cool to be off the field with."
Richardson also is doing things a little differently this offseason to try and avoid some of the small nagging injuries he suffered last season. He hopes that will turn this into an epic senior season for the Aggies.
"I'm always trying to get better in the offseason, I've been rehabbing, trying to make sure I don't get injured in the small ways like I did last year. I'm going to the training room more often, getting stretched out more, getting more massages."
Richardson is excited about his senior season and the Aggies' chances in 2023.
Texas A&M kicks off the new season on Sept. 2 against New Mexico. Time and television details have yet to be announced.
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