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Chris Richards' Final High School Game
Story URL: http://michigan.scout.com/2/390918.html

Don Hoekwater
GoBlueWolverine.com

Jun 27, 2005

Michigan 2005 defensive back signee Chris Richards of Monroe High School in Sepulveda, Calif., was a member of the Public squad Saturday in the 54th Annual Southern California Shrine All-Star Football Classic at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. GoBlueWolverine.com was there, and spoke with Richards after the game regarding his plans for Michigan.

Defensive back Chris Richards talks smack with an opposing receiver during the 54th Annual Shrine All-Star Football Classic. It was Richards final high school football game.

A beautiful Southern California evening presented itself Saturday at Mountie Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, near Pomona, for the 54th Annual Southern California Shrine All-Star Football Classic. The Shriners is an organization that, through its 22 hospitals and four burn centers, provides care free of charge for children under the age of 18 who suffer from congenital spine or bone defect, or severe burns. Michigan 2005 defensive back signee Chris Richards of Monroe High School in Sepulveda, Calif., was a member of the Public squad that faced off against the Private School All-Stars. The Shriners Game has used several different formats over the years, and this was the third year in a row using the Public/Private edition. After a slow start, the Public team walloped the Private schools 42-23.

Richards warms up before the game. He has grown almost two-inches and gained almost 20-pounds in the last year.

When GoBlueWolverine.com first met Richards at the 2004 San Diego State Nike Camp, he appeared to be an incoming sophomore, or even freshman. At 5-11, 155-pounds he performed well, but didn't strike one as a legitimate Division 1-A prospect. Attending the 2004 Michigan camp, where he received an offer from the Wolverines, Richards didn't waste time and committed shortly after his return. However, the idea at the time was to allow him to 'grayshirt', meaning he would wait a semester before enrolling, and enter as a member of the recruiting class of 2006.

Since those San Diego days, Richards has grown into a solid 6-foot-1, 172-pound young man. As a result of that growth, and an impressive performance in the CalFlorida Bowl Game, where he stayed toe-to-toe with top wide receiver Fred Rouse, Richards earned a scholarship for this incoming class, and told GBW on Saturday that he will report to Michigan on July 5.

Richards nearly makes an interception during Saturday's game.

On this night, Richards did not garner a lot of attention from the Private squad. Richards did show he could stick with the receivers, and is able to change direction quickly. He doesn't have the open field speed of another Michigan California signee, Johnny Sears of Fresno, but he appears to be more polished at the defensive back position. He almost had one interception. However, one thing that stood out was his willingness to take on a tackle. He is not afraid to put his head down and stick an opposing ball carrier. The defensive backs were rotated on a regular basis, and Richards' night ended midway through the third quarter.

After originally committing as a grayshirt, Richards signed with the class of 2005.

He is looking forward to heading to his new home. "I can't wait to get back there," he said. "I'll probably red-shirt because I'm still only 17 and I want to work with the coaches there to get bigger and faster before I start playing. But if they need me right away I'm ready to go." He added that he will turn 18 in October.