With NFL draft selection comes relief for Clemson's Richardson

The Post and Courier

Barry Richardson

CLEMSON — All along, Barry Richardson was told he'd likely be taken between the second and fifth rounds of the NFL Draft.

So when the fifth round came and went without his name popping up on the ESPN television broadcast, Richardson was antsy.

"There was some nervousness coming through," he recalled Sunday evening. "But once the call came, it all went away."

Richardson, a former Wando High standout who twice earned All-ACC honors as an offensive tackle at Clemson, was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the fourth pick of the sixth round.

That's a lot farther down than he expected at the start of the draft — let alone a year ago, when he opted to return for his senior season intent on solidifying first-round status.

The 6-7, 325-pound Richardson believes his quiet nature gave teams a skewed picture of his football abilities, but he was able to push aside that frustration as family and friends gathered for a celebration at his parents' home in Mount Pleasant on Sunday.

He was the 170th selection overall, and the 15th offensive tackle. He was one of two Clemson players drafted; the other was defensive end Phillip Merling, who went to Miami in the second round.

"I'm happy and relieved," Richardson said. "You really don't know how to react because you wait your whole career for it to happen, and then it happens."

He will be part of a comprehensive effort by the Chiefs to rebuild their offensive line. Kansas City rushed for just 78 yards per game during last year's 4-12 season and gave up an NFL-high 55 sacks.

The Chiefs traded up in the first round to get Virginia guard Branden Albert, who's forecast as a left tackle. Richardson, who started 44 consecutive games at left tackle for Clemson, could end up getting a look at guard when he reports for minicamp on May 15.

"I think Barry has the ability to excel at both positions, be it guard or tackle," said Richardson's agent, Terrence Patterson.

Richardson said he likes the thought of going in and helping an area of weakness.

"I came into the same situation in college, trying to build an offensive line," he said. "I came in and capitalized on the opportunity. Hopefully I'll do the same thing this time around."

Richardson said the past month was difficult. He read and heard criticism that he was too quiet, too soft and not athletic enough to play in the NFL. He wondered if he made a mistake by not leaving early a year ago, when some projected him as a late second-round pick.

Richardson said he relied on two people for comfort and advice: Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence, and trainer Dennis Love.

"They played a part in keeping me sane throughout the whole process," he said.

"Coach Spence told me it was out of my hands. The only thing I could do was to sit back and pray about it."

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/