Asim Richards, North Carolina Football News: Draft Scout Player News

09/16/20 - OG Asim Richards, Sr/2023, North Carolina

Richards' debut headlined an overall performance Phil Longo was "really happy with," the offensive coordinator said Monday. After allowing a sack on the UNC's second play from scrimmage, the offensive line allowed just one more all game and "really answered" the call in an improved second half, he said. And on the left side, that started with Richards. The three-star recruit from Pennsylvania appeared in nine games last fall as a true freshman, but he never started or played major snaps. That was logical, given that senior Charlie Heck was firmly entrenched at left tackle for the Tar Heels in 2019. But with Heck's departure - a second-team All-ACC selection and fourth-round NFL Draft pick, he now plays for the NFL's Houston Texans - Richards became the heir apparent at one of football's most important positions.

And the only new starter on UNC's offensive line. "I had all the emotions," Richards said Tuesday of his first start. This summer, Richards said, was huge for him. Quite aware he'd have the chance to play a lot in 2020, he found it easy to dedicate himself in workouts, even if they were conducted over Zoom. He also stayed in Chapel Hill rather than returning home to Philadelphia, which helped him zero in further. The 6-foot-4 Richards (first name pronounced AH-sum) moonlit at tight end and defensive lineman while playing basketball in high school - and at 305 pounds, he's one of the team's lightest offensive linemen. "Asim is somebody we really have to depend on," Longo said. "He's very, very athletic. He's the kind of tackle you want to recruit and have in the program. You wish they all looked like he did." - Raleigh News Observer

Sr/2023