Antonio “Tiny” RichardsonHOOVER, Ala. — Antonio “Tiny” Richardson kept his initial response short and simple.
Tennessee’s star offensive tackle was among the players a South Carolina defensive end called out during his interview session in the main media room at SEC media days on Tuesday, nearly nine months after the two players waged an intense battle throughout the Gamecocks’ win in Columbia last October.
“The only thing I have to say is Jadeveon Clowney, he’s a great player,” the Volunteers’ junior said Wednesday morning before his 14-part round of interviews began. “I give credit where credit is due. People are always going to remember that last play, but you know, you’ve just got to come in and be ready to be 100 percent next time.”
Though Richardson controlled Clowney, who’s receiving some Heisman Trophy hype and appears to be a lock for the No. 1 pick in next April’s NFL draft, for nearly all of Tennessee’s 38-35, the superstar junior got around the Vols’ big man, hit quarterback Tyler Bray and forced a fumble that South Carolina recovered to preserve its win.
Earlier this offseason, Clowney said Richardson and Michigan’s Taylor Lewan were the two best players he faced in 2012, but his tone changed a little bit on Tuesday.