[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Recent scouting report on Sheldon Richardson (from ESPN):

"I scouted the Missouri-South Carolina game in person, and each team had an early-round prospect who stood out.

First, I was very impressed with Tigers DT Sheldon Richardson. A well-built prospect who is well proportioned with a thick lower half, Richardson (6-foot-2¨þ, 290 pounds) was an imposing presence even during warmups. Once the game started, he looked even better.

He uses his hands well, and Richardson has good mobility and lateral quickness for his size. He showed the ability to get some surge on the inside, using a good swim move to pressure Gamecocks QB Connor Shaw on the first possession of the game and force what ended up being Shaw's only incompletion of the day.

Richardson also showed plenty of versatility, lining up all over the formation and even standing up at middle linebacker in some passing situations. He showed good instincts and recognition from that spot on a pair of passing plays, reading the play and redirecting to make the tackle on a screen pass and an underneath throw.

His motor and effort are outstanding, and with his combination of size, athleticism and versatility, Richardson lived up to his second-round grade. He finished with seven tackles, a forced fumble and a half-sack, and if he continues to play like this he'll move up the board to the early part of the second round. He certainly played like a top-40 overall pick in this game."

He'll be gone unless someone sells him on his stock increasing enough with another year to be a potential top 10 pick.

Sheldon has been outstanding all season so far. I'm not sure how we replace him next year.