Safety Demani Richardson announces his return to Texas A&M for 2023

No stranger to running it back.

On Sunday, senior safety Demani Richardson announced that he will return to Texas A&M for the 2023 season via Twitter. Richardson is eligible for a “super senior” season next fall because the pandemic-affected 2020 season does not count against player eligibility.

A four-year starter, Richardson has accumulated 245 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions, 15 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two touchdowns on fumble returns. Beyond the stats, Richardson also brings extremely valuable leadership and experience to the Aggie defense.

Last fall, Richardson registered a strong senior campaign that included touchdowns in victories against Arkansas and LSU. He posted 74 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five passes broken up and an interception vs. Auburn.

A four-star prospect from Waxahachie in the class of 2019, Richardson has been a starter since the 2019 season opener vs. Texas State. That year, he recorded 71 tackles as a true freshman, forced a fumble vs. Mississippi State and intercepted a pass against Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa on his way to being named to the SEC’s 2019 All-Freshman team.

In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Richardson struggled with injuries and illness but still posted 36 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.

As a junior in 2021, Richardson tallied 65 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and an end zone interception off Bryce Young in Texas A&M’s 41-38 victory over No. 1 Alabama.

With Richardson returning, D.J. Durkin’s defense expects to return nine starters from last season, with Antonio Johnson and Jaylon Jones both opting to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.