In-state prospect reacts to Gamecocks offer, possible position change in college

Sumter quarterback Franklin Richardson is a load of a runner when he takes off from the shotgun.

Richardson is such a good runner that colleges are recruiting him for running back. On Saturday, South Carolina offered the rising senior while he watched the team’s practice. He was offered as a running back and not as a quarterback.

“I watched their practice, and then I went and toured the academic facilities, and then we saw the athletic facilities,” Richardson said. “I sat down with the coach, and he told me he wanted to offer me a scholarship. He sat down and then talked with my family, and that’s when he offered me a scholarship.”

At Sumter, Richardson said his former coach Mark Barnes viewed him as an excellent athlete that could play quarterback. USC running backs coach Stan Drayton told him what he’s learned at the quarterback position will be a plus for him as a running back in college.

Richardson put up big numbers running the ball last season, rushing for 1,424 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also threw for 651 yards and four touchdowns in Sumter’s ground oriented offense. Sumter had a coaching change in the offseason with Drew Marlowe coming over from South Florence. Marlowe was USC quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ high school coach.

“He (Drayton) can tell that I study the game,” Richardson said. “He said he likes that playing quarterback is going to help me survey the defense while I’m playing running back. I’ve played running back before, so I’m not completely new to the position. And I’m a quick learner. I catch on quickly.”

Richardson, who camped at USC last summer, had his eyes squarely focused on Drayton and the running backs.

“I like the way they practice with intensity,” Richardson said. “They had like a formal scrimmage at the end, and it had high energy and intensity, and I really like that. Coach Drayton is really a hands-on coach. He’s in the middle of the drills. He’s telling them what they need to know. He gets all the running backs straight.”

As for where the Gamecocks stand with him after the offer, Richardson said, “South Carolina is definitely high up on the list.”

Richardson, who is not related to former Sumter and Penn State quarterback Wally Richardson, also has offers from Duke, East Carolina, and Coastal Carolina. He has visited Duke and ECU and has official visits scheduled with each for June.

Richardson also plans to get back to USC and Duke this spring. Currently, Duke is standing out to him.

This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 12:11 PM.