Three-star tearing up on both sides

Three-star cornerback Shaquille Richardson (6-2, 170, 4.5) from Los Alamitos, Calif., entered the season somewhat flying under the recruiting radar. He had a standout performance at the NIKE Camp held in Los Angeles where he earned the Camp's defensive back MVP Award and he has never looked back.

"We're doing really well," Richardson said. "We have a lot of confidence going into the playoffs and we are looking forward playing Long Beach (Calif.) Poly in the first round.

Richardson is one of the reasons that Los Al has an 8-2 record in one of Orange County's toughest leagues this season, playing standout football on both sides of the ball.

As a receiver, Richardson has 31 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns in games. He is averaging 17.4 yards per catch.

From his cornerback position, Richardson has 33 tackles, five interceptions, five passes defended, one sack and one fumble recovery. Outstanding production even if the opposition is going your, but when you consider that teams have been avoiding Richardson that makes his defensive stats even more impressive.

"They really don't throw my way," Richardson said. "Maybe two passes my way a game. They don't throw my way anymore."

The Maytag repair man gets more action than that.

Things are much busier on the recruiting trail for the talented corner. The word is the Arizona Wildcats are close to offering. Richardson is hoping that Arizona offers soon.

"I like Arizona a lot," Richardson said. "I like all the things they did for (Los Al alum) Antone Cason and that can be done for me.

If the Wildcats tender an offer, they will join UCLA, Washington, Oregon State, Arizona State, Northern Arizona, Fresno State, Utah, and UNLV.

Richardson has already taken two trips one to Oregon State and the other to Washington.

"Oregon State went good," Richardson said. "I liked the college town and everybody is about Oregon State wherever you go.

"I like Washington a lot, too," Richardson said. "The crowd was very loud and crazy and I liked the atmosphere before the game.

"I have trip scheduled to Arizona State on the 28th of this month, when they play Arizona," Richardson said. "I like that I have a chance to play early at Arizona State and I like the campus.

"I'm most likely going to take a visit to UCLA later after my playoffs are over," Richardson said. "I like UCLA's coaching staff. I like how they are rebuilding the program and the potential.

"I'm also going to schedule either Fresno State or Arizona."

Richardson earned a spot on the Rivals.com California Preseason Top 100 landing as the Golden State's 47 prospect at any position.