PIKEVILLE, Ky. – At times in 2013, the University of Pikeville’s Nu’Keese Richardson appeared to be on another level on the field, now he’ll get a chance to show those same skills to NFL coaches with the New England Patriots inviting him to their rookie mini-camp this weekend.
The camp serves as an orientation for the team’s draft picks and free-agent signings, but many teams also invite unsigned players to try out, which is where Richardson fits in.
In one season with the Bears, the speedy wide out from Florida caught 39 passes for 587 yards and three touchdowns. Richardson’s best asset was his athleticism in the return game where he took three punts back for touchdowns including a season-long of 76 yards.
Richardson’s 16.1 yards per punt return average was the third best in the entire NAIA. The national office took notice after he returned two punts for scores in a 35-24 win over Bethel (Tenn.) and named him the national special teams player of the week on Oct. 21.
Richardson, who flew to New England on Thursday to prepare for the weekend’s workouts, was a highly recruited quarterback/receiver who took Pahokee High to three state championships. He originally signed with Tennessee, but played his junior season at UPIKE before deciding to give making an NFL roster a chance.
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