Meet Richard Mullaney, Alabama's Unlikely Star

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — He’s a California guy who roots for Boston teams and came to the University of Alabama via a transfer from a school more than 2,000 miles away.

Yeah, sometimes Richard Mullaney shakes his head a little about the unusual direction his life has taken, and he’s still not exactly sure how it all came about. One thing that he is certain of, though, is that it’s more than worked out.

“It was just the perfect situation how everything just kind of fit together,” he said.

If there’s been a surprise on the 2015 Crimson Tide, it’s been Mullaney, who this time a year ago was unknowingly wrapping up his career at his first college, Oregon State. The only returning starter at wide receiver suffered a season-ending elbow injury during the second half of the 29-23 double-overtime loss to Utah.

Perhaps fittingly, it was a former Crimson Tide guy who indirectly set this whirlwind in motion, Mike Riley, with his decision to leave after two stints at Oregon State (1997-98, 2003-14, going 93-80) for Nebraska.

Along with a chance to follow in the footsteps of receivers such as Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the coach had been the reason why Mullaney left home. The California kid had grown up about 30 minutes south of Los Angeles “without traffic,” where he set a state single-season record for receptions with 122 for 1,709 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior at Thousand Oaks High School.

However, none of the Oregon State players had a clue that that something was up until they were notified of an emergency team meeting. They were stunned by the announcement on Dec. 4.

“Riley’s gone,” they told Mullaney on their way out, as he was late because it was finals week. Exactly one week later, Oregon State would make an equally surprising move after Gary Anderson resigned from Wisconsin to fill the opening.

Eugene Tanner/Associated Press

The one thing Mullaney didn’t do was make a knee-jerk move. He even went through spring practices with the new coaching staff and scored a touchdown in the spring game while wearing his No. 8.

But by finishing up his degree in human development and family sciences, Mullaney had the option to play at any school with an opening as a fifth-year transfer. Meanwhile, the Beavers were going to have not only a new quarterback with Sean Mannion drafted by the St. Louis Rams but also a new offense after switching to a spread, uptempo scheme.

Mullaney struggled with the decision. He didn’t want to go out with just 18 receptions for 216 yards and one touchdown in six games as his final season, but coming off a 5-7 year, the Beavers weren’t looking at a quick turnaround.

“With Oregon State, I was comfortable, and it’s not like I wanted to leave, but it’s just hard,” he said. “Four years there, so many friends, memories.

“At the end of the day, I had to do what’s best for me and what I wanted long-term.”

He asked to be released from his scholarship. Had Riley stayed, he never would have considered such a move.

“It was hard just talking to Coach Anderson,” Mullaney said. “The short time I got to know him, I really respect the guy. I would have loved to play for him under different circumstances. But I got the release, next thing I know I’m coming here on a trip and just fell in love with the place.”

WR Calvin Ridley	Had a breakout game against Georgia, with five catches for 120 yards and a 45-yard touchdown.
DL Daron Payne	As linemate Jonathan Allen said, he’s “made quite an impression” and was in the rotation against Georgia. “The guys that they keep bringing in are even bigger and better than the year before,” Ryan Kelly said. “He’s a kid with a bright future. He’s a big guy who moves really well and a really strong guy. You add him to all the other guys we have on the defensive line, and that’s pretty scary.”
DB Minkah Fitzpatrick	Earned the role as Alabama’s dime defensive back and leads the secondary with four passes broken up. He’s tied for fourth in team tackles with 21 and last week blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown
RB Damien Harris	Has been Alabama’s third running back and has 28 carries for 109 yards.
WR Daylon Charlot	Injuries have helped get him on the field, and he made his first career reception, for eight yards, against Louisiana-Monroe.
S Ronnie Harrison	Already has two interceptions and a blocked punt to his credit.

To give an idea of how fast things happened, Mullaney was in Reser Stadium for the last time on Saturday, June 13, for his graduation ceremony. That was one day after getting his release and two days before flying to Tuscaloosa.

To borrow a phrase from a prominent California team, the Oakland Raiders, the program’s commitment to excellence stood out even though Nick Saban wasn’t on hand for the visit, which occurred during a vacation the coach had planned months in advance. They did talk via Skype, though, and when Alabama offered a scholarship, he accepted.

In addition to his father, who hails from Boston (thus the fan allegiance), among those Mullaney had talked things over with was Luke Del Rio, the former Alabama walk-on quarterback who played at Oregon State last season and has since transferred to Florida. 

However, he didn’t get a chance to pick the brain of Riley, who played for Paul W. “Bear” Bryant from 1971-74 and was offered the Alabama job when Dennis Franchione left for Texas A&M in 2002. Mullaney said the coach reached out to him and his family after the decision had been made.

Name	Yards	TDs
ArDarius Stewart	23-201	2
Calvin Ridley	22-245	2
Richard Mullaney	15-160	2
O.J. Howard	13-183	0
Robert Foster	10-116	2

When people asked him why the abrupt change, his response was simple: “It’s Alabama.”

“Nothing gets better [in college football]. I wanted to prove to everyone out there that I could compete with the best.”

Alabama had a need at the position even before sophomore Cam Sims suffered a torn ACL in the spring. After the departures of Amari Cooper, DeAndrew White and Christion Jones, the Crimson Tide’s top returning wide receiver was junior Chris Black, who made 15 receptions for 188 yards last season.

In comparison, Mullaney had caught 83 passes for 1,160 yards and five touchdowns over three seasons. His best year came as a sophomore in 2013, when he registered 52 receptions for 788 yards and three scores.

Moreover, Alabama would have a new quarterback and no one who could be sort of a security blanket, whom it could confidently go to in the clutch.

"We hoped that role would happen with really three guys this year,” Saban said. “Robert Foster, ArDarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley showed us enough early in camp and that we thought he could emerge and be one of those guys. With the circumstances as they are, he's gotten more opportunity, and he's responded very well to it.”

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

When Foster suffered a shoulder injury against Ole Miss that required surgery, Mullaney took his spot. Although Alabama’s comeback came up short, he had seven catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including one in which he hurdled a defender in route to the end zone.

“He’s a guy that a lot of people around here trust a lot,” said senior quarterback Jake Coker, another graduate transfer from Florida State. “He just does what he’s supposed to do.”

That’s exactly what Alabama needed, and it’s been everything that Mullaney hoped. From the barbecue food to the fans, and the high level of talent on the Crimson Tide roster, it’s all been as good, if not better, than hyped. His California nature stuck out a little when he called it “awesome,” but so far, so good.

He quickly grasped coordinator Lane Kiffin’s offense and planned on letting his play do his talking for him. Before long, his new teammates started raving about the new guy.

"My first impression of Mullaney was that he has good hands,” safety Geno Matias-Smith said. “He's a sure catch. Kind of reminds me of Kevin Norwood. That's been a comparison from a lot of guys."

“Goes up to attack the ball and he runs really good routes,” tight end O.J. Howard said. “He’s definitely a steal for us.”

So far, Mullaney, wearing No. 16 for the Crimson Tide, has made 15 receptions for 160 yards and, as the primary slot receiver, started the last two games. Ole Miss and Georgia also provided his first taste of league play, which is a little different in the intense Southeastern Conference.

Oregon State might have the Civil War with Oregon, but that’s pretty much it in terms of rivalries. Additionally, Mullaney’s only postseason experience has been in the Alamo Bowl and the Hawaii Bowl (he had three receptions for 52 yards against Boise State). Maybe that will change as well. 

“We’re just happy to have him,” senior center Ryan Kelly said. “He’s been a great guy on and off the field.”

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.