As a senior at Keller High School, little did Richards know how much Cardinal football and the city of Athens would impact his life in a couple of years.

After playing one season at the University of Central Arkansas, he felt is playing career had a higher calling. Turns out it did, by way of accepting an offer to become a Cardinal and remarket himself.

It took no time at all for Richards to become a starter on the offensive line and help the Cardinals become one of the most productive offenses in the nation, averaging 37.8 points per game. The success translated into an 8-3 season and appearance in the 2011 Citizens Bank Bowl in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Richards was rewarded for his stellar season, earning NJCAA All-American status, as well as All-SWJCFC honors.

He cashed in his season, continuing his career at Rice University, where he started every game in his two-year career. As a junior in 2012, the dependable Richards played all but one offensive snap for the Owls.

Anchoring the offensive line, Richards helped Rice to a bowl win as a junior and a 10-4 record and first conference championship in 57 years as a senior.

He was named first-team All-Conference USA as a senior.

After Rice, he was invited to the NFL training camp of the Jacksonville Jaguars but chose to earn his law degree at Texas Tech University. That led him back to Athens, where he resides with wife Whitney and their three children. He has his own law firm.