Demani Richardson named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
But Demani Richardson does.
The senior defensive back was named the Southeastern Conference’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week after permanently swaying momentum in favor of the Aggies with his second scoop-and-score of the season in an electric 38-23 win over then-No.5 LSU. Richardson shares the honor with South Carolina DB Marcellas Dial.
This is the Waxahachie native’s first POTW recognition of his four-year collegiate career.
The Aggies were in desperate need of a charge after consecutive three-and-out drives to start the third quarter. With LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels back on the field looking to capitalize on another defensive stop, he attempted to pick up a fresh set of downs on three-and-1, but linebacker Edgerrin Cooper knocked the ball away from his possession.
Almost instantly, Richardson recovered the fumble and gunned it for a 27-yard touchdown return that put the Aggies in a prime position to pull off the upset.
Richardson also posted a team second-best eight tackles, five of which were solo stops.
Almost identical to his first scoop-and-score of the season in a 23-21 win vs. Arkansas, Richardson once again found himself in the right position for a defensive touchdown that ultimately became Saturday’s turning point.
“Just like in Arkansas, I feel like it helped us get momentum on both sides,” Richardson said postgame. “They was doing good in the first half, but the second half, they came out and got-three-and-outs, whatever. But then I feel like, after that fumble, it just helped them with momentum, helped the fans get into it. And when you get a momentum swing like that, it just helps the overall game.”
Most likely opting for the NFL Draft, Richardson’s potential last game at Kyle Field was a special one and a surprising finale to a stormy 2022 season.
“It means a lot. The 12th Man is one of the reasons I came here,” Richardson added. “They're the best fans in the nation. I love them.
“I'm just glad that I got to be a part of Texas A&M, and I'm glad we won it that way. The season didn't go the way we wanted it to, but it ended the way we wanted it to.”