Bowie grad emerges in Navy secondary
De’Von Richardson grew up in a military family and lived in Bowie. But neither was reason for him to be interested in the Naval Academy.
“When they came to recruit me, I didn’t want to come at all,” Richardson said. “I didn’t even know what it was, and I’m from Maryland.”
But Richardson’s mother, Pamela, made sure to school her son. Four years later, Richardson is a rapidly developing sophomore defensive back for the Midshipmen.
Saturday, in the third start of his career, Richardson made a key interception at the end of the first half that set up a Navy touchdown and deflated Notre Dame in a 35-17 win.
Richardson is one of several Mids who have assumed larger roles by necessity and produced during this injury-riddled season. As a result, Navy (5-2) is on track to approach last year’s 10-4 record.
“He worked as hard as any DB,” Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said. “He made a lot of plays in camp. He was working at safety, at corner, at nickel back, so we knew he had an understanding of the whole defense.”
After establishing himself as the top reserve at all four secondary positions, the 6-foot, 195-pound Richardson was ready. He entered the lineup when senior safety Emmet Merchant suffered a concussion. In his first start, Richardson had seven tackles in a 28-27 win at Wake Forest.
“I wanted to have the role that Kwesi Mitchell had last year — go in for anybody who got hurt,” Richardson said. “I practiced at every position so I could be that guy.”
As a standout running back at Bowie High, Richardson never envisioned himself at Navy. He was more interested in schools such as Northwestern and Syracuse. But that changed when his mother put her foot down.
“My mom made me go on the visit,” said Richardson, who was born in Germany, where both his parents were stationed. “When I got here, it just seemed like a great opportunity — a job [after graduation], a chance to play quickly and a good education.”
