Alabama Football: Trent Richardson Passing Up Millions in NFL for Senior Season?

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

In all the times I've interviewed Trent Richardson, I've never asked the question I didn't want to hear the answer to.

The obvious question: Are you leaving Alabama for the NFL at the end of this season?

I asked Julio that and only got a smile and a blank stare.

I asked Mark Ingram and he more or less said he was leaving the Tide in good hands and didn't have a lot left to prove at Alabama.

So I've never asked Trent. I simply didn't want to know the answer. Maybe because I enjoy interviewing Trent so much, seeing that big toothy grin and relishing how a man so talented could be so humble.

And there's also the fact that, although I'm a sportswriter, I'm a biased one, and I love the Crimson Tide.

So yesterday, when Trent dropped the first hint to a major publication that he was considering returning for his senior year—despite the almost sure-fire first-round pick and million dollar contract—I was stunned.

Today, on the subject of his leaving for the NFL draft, Trent told The Montgomery Advertiser that he was planning on staying for another year.

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"I have got a whole 'nother year," Richardson said. "I'm not worried about anything else. I'm going to be here for a whole 'nother year. I'm just ready to stay here and play football."

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Before any follow-up could be asked, media relations said that any more questions along those lines could be answered after the end of the season.

Could Richardson actually be considering returning for his senior year and bypassing millions of dollars?

Time will tell. If he does, look for Alabama to be rated high in polls for preseason with hopes to be even higher during the season.