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College football 2018: Top 30 breakout players to watch

By Jeremy Morris

Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images
Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images /
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Boise State wide receiver A.J. Richardson (7) makes a first half catch against Fresno State in the Mountain West championship at Albertsons Stadium on Dec. 2, 2017 in Boise, Idaho. (Joe Jaszewski/Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images)
Boise State wide receiver A.J. Richardson (7) makes a first half catch against Fresno State in the Mountain West championship at Albertsons Stadium on Dec. 2, 2017 in Boise, Idaho. (Joe Jaszewski/Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images) /

Quarterback Brett Rypien has started the last three seasons for Boise State and during his tenure, receivers have turned in four 1,000-yard seasons. Cedric Wilson who was responsible for two of those seasons. As he departs and Rypien returns for a fourth season, A.J. Richardson will be the team’s top returning receiver.

After missing almost all of his sophomore season in 2016, Richardson played in 11 games as a junior last year and caught 33 passes for 494 yards. His 15 yards per catch were the second highest on the team behind Wilson as well.

Richardson doesn’t quite fit the profile of the tall, long-striding receiver that Wilson and several other great Boise State receivers before him have. Richardson is a compact, physical receiver at 6’0″ and 210 pounds. He has the speed to be a big play threat but he’s also a tough possession receiver with good hands who isn’t afraid to go over the middle and get tough yards to move the chains.

Boise State is a favorite in the Mountain West again but they’ll need a big play receiver to step up to continue their run of dominance. Richardson is the most likely candidate to fill that role.