Richaud Floyd is a welcome addition to Missouri’s receiving corps
As junior Missouri receiver Richaud Floyd went through pregame warmups Saturday, he felt fresh. The feeling didn’t leave when the game started, and it wasn’t gone when he hauled in his first catch of the season, a 17-yard grab early in the third quarter.
“I felt like a freshman all over again just getting out there on the field for the first time,” Floyd said at practice Tuesday.
He had good reason. Floyd missed the first six games of the season because of a broken bone in his leg and saw his first action of the year Saturday against Memphis. He finished the game with three catches and 28 receiving yards and was on the field for 26 snaps, the third-most of any Missouri receiver.
Missouri lists Floyd as a starter on this week’s depth chart, so he’ll likely see an uptick in playing time against No. 12 Kentucky.
“He’s a stabilizing presence,” receivers coach Alex Ofodile said. “He had a little bit of rust, but as the (Memphis) game went on he got a little more comfortable. We expect him to take a jump this week.”
Floyd’s return comes at a time of need for Missouri. Week one starters Emanuel Hall and Nate Brown have both been out because of groin injuries, and neither is listed as a starter on this week’s depth chart. Jalen Knox and Johnathon Johnson have carried the receiving corps in Hall, Brown and Floyd’s absence.
“If we have Jalen, myself, E-man and Nate back on the outside, it’s going to be one of the best receiving corps in America with (Johnson), (Dominic) Gicinto and Barrett (Banister) on the inside,” Floyd said. “And then you’ve got the tight ends with Albert (Okwuegbunam) and Kendall (Blanton). I don’t think anybody else has eight or nine people who can go like that in a game.”
Floyd returned two punts for touchdowns in 2017 but did not have a chance at a return against Memphis. Missouri has averaged fewer than two yards a return through seven games.
“I’m trying to get back on punt return duties, just trying to get back and have them trust me again just catching the ball,” Floyd said. “I feel like we need a boost in that area, so I think I could provide that.”
Floyd said he initially thought he would be back for Missouri’s game against Alabama, but he wasn’t ready for cutting or full contact when the Tigers left for Tuscaloosa.
The receiver broke his leg in August during a training camp scrimmage. He was blocking when a defensive lineman dove for running back Damarea Crockett. Instead of landing on Crockett, the lineman hit Floyd’s leg. The receiver immediately knew something was broken, and he hobbled off the field.
While recovering, Floyd spent his mornings undergoing treatment in Missouri’s training center, arriving as early as 5:30 a.m. Lineman Kevin Pendleton, who has dealt with ankle problems this year, said he’s grown closer to Floyd as they’ve spent time together in the training room. When asked about what Floyd brings to Missouri’s offense, Pendleton initially responded with one word: fire.
“I’m excited to have him back,” Pendleton said. “This offense is excited to have him back.”
Okwuegbunam said he expects Floyd’s return will take pressure of some of the younger receivers, and Knox, a freshman, said his fellow receiver gives defenses another weapon to worry about.
During the third quarter of the Memphis game, Floyd noticed quarterback Drew Lock frequently looking his direction. The receiver knew he’d get a pass to catch soon and was ready when one finally came his way. He didn’t feel very nervous, even though he hadn’t played in a game since December.
“Pressure?” Floyd said. “Playing on Saturday is not pressure for me. It’s more of a blessing.”
This story was originally published October 24, 2018 at 6:29 PM.