Defensive Back of the Year Richardson Returns to Soul
November 20, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (November 20, 2012) - The American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul and the Arena Football League announce that 2012 RevHoney Defensive Back of the Year, Kent Richardson (6'0, 200, West Virginia) will return to the team's roster in 2013. The former Mountaineer, who is entering his third AFL season, agreed to a two-year contract.
"Kent had an outstanding season last year," said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "The good news is that we believe that he is still learning and has a tremendous upside. His return gives us our returning secondary (Rayshaun Kizer and LaRico Stevenson) from last year's American Conference Championship team. We are very pleased to have him back this season."
Richardson had a breakout season in 2012 by setting the Soul single-season record for interceptions with 14 (Eddie Moten had 13 in 2005). In just his second AFL season, Kent tallied 80.5 total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions returned for 178 yards and two touchdowns, 15 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The 2012 First Team All-Arena performer was tied for No. 1 in the AFL in interceptions (14), No. 4 in interception return yards (178), No. 5 in passes defended (29) and tied for No. 6 in interception return touchdowns (2). The second-year starter earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game four times, AFL Playmaker of the Game once and the League's Defensive Player of the Week once in 2012.
In his rookie season, Richardson led the Soul in tackles (64.0) and pass breakups (11), while recording two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception. During his collegiate career, he was named WVU team captain and received Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll (2008). He was a member of the Mountaineer team that won the 2008 Fiesta Bowl vs. Oklahoma and played in the 2008 Car Care Bowl, 2007 Gator Bowl, and 2006 Sugar Bowl.
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