Louisiana DT a real gem

Junior to Watch: Darryl Richard

School: Destrehan, La.

Position: Defensive Tackle

Size and speed: Richard is 6-foot-4, weighs 285 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. He also boasts a 4.6 GPA (weighted in accelerated classes) and has scored a 28 on his ACT.

Statistics: As a junior, he recorded 65 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles.

Honors: Was named all-state as a junior after earning all-district status as a sophomore.

Favorite Schools: LSU, Colorado, Stanford, Notre Dame, Florida State.

Skinny: Looking for one of the can’t-miss prospects in the Class of 2004?

Try this on for size: a 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive tackle with 4.9 speed and a GPA almost to match.

That’s Destrehan (La.) standout Darryl Richard, who has five major scholarship offers and figures to have many more in the weeks to come.

“Darryl’s the complete package,” Destrehan coach Steve Robichaux said. “He’s a big, strong, aggressive player with as good of physical skills as you’re going to find at defensive tackle, but his best attribute is his head. He’s an incredibly bright kid, a student of the game, a hard worker. His work ethic is off the charts. He’s the type of kid you get into this business for. He’s a joy to coach.”

Richard has garnered early scholarship offers from LSU, Colorado, Vanderbilt, Tulane and Indiana. He’s also receiving heavy interest from Notre Dame, Florida State and Stanford.

“And we’re just getting word out about him,” Robichaux said. “A lot of coaches are just now calling me for the first time.”

Richard had 65 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior in earning all-state honors. Robichaux said those figures are even more impressive when you consider the defensive system that Destrehan employs.

“We run a 50 read scheme where he’s a 2-gap guy,” he said. “Normally, those players don’t make a lot of plays. They just tie up people and let the linebackers flow and make plays. Darryl’s linebackers don’t get to make as many. Those guys don’t like him very much. (Laughs).

“He has great technique, and like I said, he’s a student of the game. He watches a lot of film on opponents and understands the concepts of what they’re trying to do and what we’re trying to do. He also understands leverage and how to use his strength to his advantage. He’s just a special young man.”

Richard has visited LSU on occasion this month, recently taking in the Tigers’ spring game.

“I know he was very impressed with them,” Robichaux said.

As for favorites, however, it may be too early to say.

“He says he’s going to take his visits and compare everything to the state schools,” Robichaux said. “I can tell you this: academics will be a major factor.”