Trent Richardson: Why RB Would Be Foolish to Shun 2012 NFL Draft for Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide RB Trent Richardson is clearly too focused on his game. 

As much as I love commitment and loyalty, it would be down-right idiotic for T-Rich to shun the 2012 NFL Draft to go back to Alabama for another year. He may want that Heisman trophy, but his draft stock couldn't get any higher than it is right now.

NBC Sports' Michael David Smith reported last month that the freak was still undecided on his future.

C'mon, man.

Richardson is a freakin' beast of a runner. He is a workout warrior that would have scouts, analysts and fans salivating at the mouth at the 2012 NFL Combine in February. He may not be the athletic freak that former teammate Julio Jones is, but his combination of strength and speed would have fans re-watching highlights every day until his name is called. 

After that, depending which team he goes to, those fans will be watching highlights twice a day while division and conference rivals would be having nightmares.

That's the type of talent Richardson is.

He can outrun nearly anybody on the field, but more importantly, he can push the pile with his obscene strength.

Seriously, it's not even fair what this kid can do on the field. He is the entire Crimson Tide offense. For those unaware, Richardson is the premier workhorse runner in college football. He can block and be a primary receiver out of the backfield.

This kid is the next Steven Jackson of the Rams. He's that good. He could easily go in the top- five of the draft to the Cleveland Browns, but even the Cincinnati Bengals could think about trading up like the Falcons did last year to grab Jones. 

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer states, "Running back Cedric Benson has run for three straight 1,000-yard seasons but the Bengals might go in another direction either in free agency or the draft, where they have the 17th and 21st picks in the first round."

This would be the perfect destination for Richardson. The Bengals have a phenomenal young corps with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Richardson would be the final piece to the Bengals' offense, which would boast a Super Bowl-caliber trio.

The Bengals are a run-first offense and have been looking for an all-purpose, down-hill runner with receiving abilities for years. With two picks in the first round, the Bengals would be foolish not to trade up for a player of Richardson's caliber.

It all depends on Richardson, though.

If he's foolish enough to try his hand at the Heisman one more time or do what is in the best interest of himself and his family. Today, it's all about the BCS National Championship. Starting tomorrow, it should be all about the NFL. Richardson is the only running back that could possibly be taken in the first round of the 2012 draft. 

He wouldn't have a Heisman trophy to compare with former teammate Mark Ingram, but he would take pride of being a fellow first-round pick and being drafted higher too.