| 8 Tommy Richardson |
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Enters the season as the starter at outside linebacker.
2004 - Junior Season
Switched from safety to linebacker and started all 12 games at linebacker • Tied for second on the team with 67 tackles, including 39 solo and 28 assists • Also had four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and forced a fumble • Led the team with a career-best 14 tackles, including 10 primary stops, against Boston College in the Continental Tire Bowl • Had a game-high seven tackles in the win at Duke and recovered a fumble at the Blue Devils 23-yard line • Carolina scored on the ensuing drive • Had six tackles in the win over Wake Forest •Made a team-high nine tackles and forced a fumble against No. 18 Virginia Tech • Posted seven tackles and made a 3-yard tackle for loss in the win over No. 4 Miami • Had 12 tackles against Utah, including four primary stops and eight assists • Also broke up two passes • Played one of the best games of his career against Utah according to the coaching staff • Made three tackles against NC State • Started against Louisville and had three tackles, including two primary and one assist • Did not play against Georgia Tech due to an internal disciplinary matter • Started at Virginia and made three tackles •Made his first career start against William & Mary.
2003 - Sophomore Season
Played in four games at safety and on special teams • Saw action on 60 snaps • Saw his most extensive playing time with 28 snaps against Maryland • Also saw significant playing time in the season-opener against Florida State • Had four tackles on the season, including two against the Seminoles and two against Maryland • Had a 1-yard tackle for loss against FSU.
2002 - Freshman Season
Was one of seven true freshmen to see action • Played in 11 games primarily on special teams • Also was a reserve free safety • Made one tackle at Maryland • Played 104 snaps, including a season-high 19 snaps against Maryland.
North Miami Beach High School
Three-year starter at defensive back and wide receiver • North Miami Beach had its best three years ever while he was on the team, including an 8-2 record his senior year • Team captain as a junior and senior • Made 76 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery as a senior defensive back • Had 23 receptions for 487 yards and three touchdowns as a wide receiver •Also blocked four field goals • Rated the No. 51 prospect in Florida by SuperPrep • Had 143 career tackles, 52 assists, five interceptions, six sacks and 28 tackles for loss • Second-team all-state as a senior • Ranked among the Top 100 prospects in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel • All-county as a senior • Student Body President • Coached by Jeff Bertani • Also plays basketball.
Personal
Born Tommy Antoine Richardson on August 8, 1984 • Nickname is "T-Rich" • Enjoys poetry, reading and relaxing • Pretended to be Deion Sanders and Ronnie Lott as a kid • Wears No. 8 because he was born on the eighth day of the eighth month • Would like to switch places for a day with Michael Jordan • Says the best thing about being a football player at Carolina is "the fans. Thank You." • Favorite former Carolina football player is Natrone Means • Favorite NFL team is Dallas • African-American history major.
