For Anthony Richardson, the connection with the Indianapolis Colts never seemed to stop growing leading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
In recent weeks, the uber-athletic quarterback out of the University of Florida made a clear connection with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard and others during a visit and workout at the team's facility.
Richardson left that visit with a feeling that the Colts, who had the fourth-overall pick heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, would come calling again at some point.
Turns out he was right — twice, in fact. The team gave Richardson a heads up prior to the start of the draft on Thursday night that if the first few picks went generally as expected, that they'd be dialing his number again real soon. And, like clockwork, with two quarterbacks and an edge rusher being selected in the first three picks, Richardson received that fateful call from Ballard with the Colts on the clock at No. 4 overall.
Richardson, he would later explain to Indianapolis-area media in a post-draft conference call, was left "extremely emotional," knowing he was officially going to become the newest member of the Colts.
"Once I seen the fourth pick was up, I kind of had that feeling that they were going to give me the call," Richardson said. "They gave me the call and I celebrated with my family and tears just started rolling down."
Simply put, Richardson isn't your "average" quarterback — a fact he acknowledges with pride.
Other quarterbacks in the league have a similar frame to Richardson, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 244 pounds. But that's where most comparisons end. Two months ago, Richardson simply put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine on his future home field at Lucas Oil Stadium, where he:
• Logged the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.43 seconds) among quarterbacks at the NFL Combine since 2000
• Recorded a 40.5-inch vertical leap and a 129-inch (10 3/4 feet) broad jump
Throw those three metrics together, and you get the most athletic quarterback prospect to ever test at the NFL Combine.
But, as Richardson explained it on Thursday night, his physical abilities are only part of what he brings to the table as he embarks on his rookie season with the Colts.
"You know, for one, I'm a hard worker. I truly believe that, and I'm willing to work hard and work harder than anybody," Richardson said. "Two, God blessed me with physical abilities that not every quarterback has. People see me, they don't think I'm a quarterback. You know, I'm not an average quarterback, and I can do things other QBs can't do. So I definitely take pride in that. And then I'm also willing to learn. I'm willing to be just as good or, if not, better than all these quarterbacks in the draft or all the quarterbacks in the league."
That certainly sounds like a formula for success — but now it's time to prove it. Richardson only played in 20 games across three seasons at Florida, but it was last year that he showed several glimpses of what he can provide at the next level, as he completed 176-of-327 pass attempts for 2,549 yards with 17 touchdowns to nine interceptions, as well as 103 rushing attempts for 654 yards (6.3 average) and nine scores on the ground for the Gators.
Asked on Thursday when he thinks he'll be ready to play for the Colts, Richardson said, "I'm going to try to be ready as fast as I can."
"(I'll) try to be ready before preseason, try to be ready before the first game," he continued. "You know, they picked me this high for a reason, so I'm gonna put the work in and make sure I'm ready for the franchise."
View photos from Kansas City of QB Anthony Richardson selected 4th overall by the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft.
People are reflected in the glasses of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives prior to the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Todd Rosenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson in the green room during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson in the green room during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young in the green room during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is interviewed during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
A detailed view of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson's chain worn during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses on stage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson embraces family during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson gesturesduring the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson gets emotional as he walks to the stage after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell embrace during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson gets emotional as he walks to the stage after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson walks onstage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson gets emotional as he walks to the stage after being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson looks on during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell pose for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, left, and Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, hold a team jersey after Richardson was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 4 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson takes the stage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson walks onstage during the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson puts on a hat after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Florida Quarterback Anthony Richardson poses for a photo after being elected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the NFL draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Florida Quarterback Anthony Richardson waits in the green room to be drafted at the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Images for NFL/Doug Benc)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, left, and Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, hold a team jersey after Richardson was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 4 pick at the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, left, embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A detail shot of an Anthony Richardson football in the green room backstage prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Mo. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
What will help is a new head coach in Steichen who has plenty of experience molding young, athletic quarterbacks. As the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles the last two seasons, Steichen helped develop Jalen Hurts into an MVP candidate in 2022, as he earned Second Team All-Pro honors after throwing for 3,700 yards and 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions, and running for 760 yards and 13 more scores on the ground.
The stats are great, but even better is the fact that Hurts also helped lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance in just his third NFL season.
"I was watching all last year," Richardson said of the Eagles' offense in 2022. "I love Jalen Hurts. I was watching mainly because of him. I'm pretty much familiar (with) what they're running, and I'm excited to get in it."
Richardson, a Gainesville, Fla., native, is now eager to get back to Indianapolis so he can officially dig in to the Steichen playbook and show Colts fans why the team was so excited to add his elite set of traits at the quarterback position.
"I kind of had a feeling that they were going to select me, because I fell in love with the people in the building when I was there on my visit," Richardson said. "Then, just talking to Coach (Steichen), talking to Chris Ballard — just talking to those guys and getting familiar with them, it felt like home. And now they picked me up, and I'm ready to come home."
