Texas A&M safety Demani Richardson was provided a front seat to the evolution of the Aggies’ football program under Jimbo Fisher. Richardson was part of Fisher’s first full cycle at Texas A&M in 2019. The four-star safety from Waxahachie picked the Aggies over 13 other reported offers, including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas. 

The program felt different when he arrived in 2019 than it does heading into the 2022 season, Richardson admits. The expectations weren’t as high. The talent level wasn’t as impressive. The recruiting classes weren’t causing headlines and conspiracy theories. But, to Richardson, there is a more important difference that’s the catalyst for any success achieved under Fisher in College Station. 

“We’re more of a family,” Richardson said. “There is a closer bond in our locker room now than when I first stepped foot on campus. It helps that all of us were recruited by Coach Fisher. We’re completely bought-in and our bond is tight.” 

Richardson wasted no time working his way into the starting lineup. He made the 2019 SEC All-Freshman Team after starting 11 games and finishing third on the team with 71 tackles. His best performance of the season was an eight-tackle effort against Clemson, proving no competition level was too large. He started eight games in 2020 and nine games in 2021. The only games he hasn’t started over the last two seasons were due to injury. 

“Demani is a real leader for us in the secondary,” Fisher said. “He’s a guy we count on, and a guy his teammates look to in tough situations.” 

The impact of a player inside a program is best described by their teammates. Sure, stats help tell the story, but peers provide context. Richardson will leave Texas A&M after 2022 as a four-year starter with over 200 career tackles. He’s left his mark on the Aggie football program and that doesn’t go unnoticed by the other players in the locker room. 

“His enthusiasm for the game and for this university is contagious,” wide receiver Ainias Smith said. “He’s a dog and that’s what we need on the defensive side.”