Decamerion Richardson drafted in the 4th round by the Las Vegas Raiders
Mississippi State’s run of cornerbacks in the NFL is continuing in 2024.
Decamerion Richardson is the next in line that has heard his name called in the NFL Draft with the talented defensive back from Bossier (La.) High School coming off the board on Saturday afternoon in the 4th round. Richardson was taken by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 112th overall.
Richardson is the first Bulldog drafted by the Raiders since their move to Las Vegas and the first by the organization since Johnathan Abram was taken in the first round in 2019. He also joins Gabe Jackson (2014) and Olanda Trainer (1993) drafted by the Raiders.
The State defender is the fourth Bulldog cornerback that has been drafted in the last five seasons. Cameron Dantzler was first of the group to come out in 2020 when he was drafted in the third round by the Minnesota Vikings. Martin Emerson was taken in the 2022 draft in the third round by the Cleveland Browns and Emmanuel Forbes was taken 16th overall in last year’s draft by the Washington Commanders.
Richardson spent his last four years in Starkville with the Louisiana native playing in seven games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. In 2021, Richardson earned more playing time and had 13 tackles in 13 games.
2022 saw Richardson enter the starting lineup fulltime for the first time as a Bulldog. He played opposite Emmanuel Forbes and was the SEC’s leader at cornerback in tackles with 85 stops on the year with three pass deflections and one fumble recovery.
This past season was Richardson’s year as CB1 and he made 79 tackles with seven pass deflections and 1.0 sack. He had 10 career pass deflections but never managed to make an interception over the course of his 45 games played.
There was some controversy surrounding Richardson in the offseason. After finishing out his senior year, he entered the transfer portal and was set to play his final season for Ole Miss. Instead, he ultimately decided on declaring for the NFL Draft and took part in Pro Day in Starkville this month.
The 6’2, 195-pound defender is now the fifth former Bulldog corner in the league as he joins the previously mentioned Bulldogs and former State great Darius Slay. He joins a long line of great defenders in the league that also includes defensive linemen Chris Jones, Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat.
