Florida QB Anthony Richardson is "100 percent" for Kentucky game

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has the green light to return to game action when the Gators head to Lexington this weekend.

After missing the past two games with a hamstring injury, Florida head coach Dan Mullen says Richardson is back to “100 percent” and will play Saturday.

“Ready to go.”

“He’s ready to go, 100 percent ready to go,” Mullen said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “We’re excited to have him back and ready to go play. He’s a dynamic player.”

The 6-foot-4, 236-pound redshirt freshman has rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to go with 192 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He has scored three touchdowns of 70-plus yards in two games this season.

Big, strong and fast

“He’s a big, strong, fast, good-looking athlete, and can throw the ball exceptionally well, too,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said of Richardson Monday.

Junior Emory Jones has served as the primary starter this season, with the 6-foot-2 athlete racking up 668 passing yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions through the air. He’s also rushed for 376 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Jones or Richardson?

After a turnover-filled start to the season, Mullen has praised Jones for his consistency and confidence the past two weeks, specifically against Tennessee this past weekend.

“When the playbook opens up and we have different plans each week, you’re starting to see his confidence a little bit more play in,” Mullen said of Jones. “Which gives us more confidence that he can throw more things in from the playbook right there of how we want to attack people.”

Richardson, however, is seen as the quarterback of the future for the Gators and a plug-and-play playmaker.

Will Mullen roll with the established veteran or the young backup? That remains to be seen. With Richardson back to full strength, though, the Florida head coach will have his choice when the Gators head to Lexington this weekend.