'Crazy to think about': Dominic Richardson working, waiting for his opportunity in OSU backfield

STILLWATER — Dominic Richardson knows all he can do is work, and trust that his moments to carry the ball will come.

Sharing a depth chart with three redshirt seniors, the sophomore Richardson can’t let the depth of the Oklahoma State running back room discourage him.

After all, a year ago, he was mired deep on the depth chart as a true freshman and got his chance to shine in the regular-season finale at Baylor, where he rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

This year could be the same, with coach Mike Gundy saying he wants to keep all the backs involved, and thus, keep all of them fresh over the course of the season.

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“I don’t think there’s any question we have quality depth past what we’ve had years back at running back,” Gundy said. “I’m fairly certain about that. 

“(Richardson is) a year into it. He was like most freshmen, trying to find his way through. We played him toward the end of the season, but he had gone through August, September, October.

“Chuba (Hubbard) didn’t practice much last year. There were times that LD (Brown) was beat up. So Dominic got a lot of practice time with the ones and twos, and that’s where guys get better.”

Hubbard is off to the NFL, but Brown is back as sixth-year senior. Dezmon Jackson returned, and Jaylen Warren transferred in from Utah State. Both are redshirt seniors with more experience than Richardson. 

“We’ve got a lot of talent in the backfield,” Richardson said. “It’s all about learning our jobs and staying focused, learning our schemes. The biggest thing is pass protection, protecting our quarterback.

“I just keep on working hard. There’s no guarantee, because there’s a lot of talent. I just gotta keep working, working, working, and time will tell.”

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Learning the playbook has been one of the biggest keys for Richardson, who wanted to be as educated as possible on what everyone was doing on every play.

“I studied all the concepts of people’s jobs,” Richardson said. “If you know everybody’s job, it makes it easier on us. It can make us go the right path as well.”

Richardson initially signed with TCU out of high school, but circumstances led him to OSU instead — a diversion he remains thankful for.

“It’s crazy to think about, for sure,” Richardson said. “I ended up coming here, which is a great fit for me, coming to this school and joining this Cowboy family. I think about it every day. It gives me extra drive every time I step on that field to improve myself, to better myself and keep on moving forward.”

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OSU running back depth chart

Name, Class, Ht., Wt., Hometown (Previous school)

Starter

LD Brown, RSr., 5-9, 200, Dallas, Texas (DeSoto HS)

Reserves

Jaylen Warren, RSr., 5-8, 215, Salt Lake City (Utah State)

Dezmon Jackson, RSr., 5-11, 220, El Dorado, Arkansas (Hutchinson CC)

Dominic Richardson, So., 6-0, 210, Oklahoma City (McGuinness)