Point Of Arrival – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 21, 2006
By Ashley Heilman
Complete Story in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Some say history has a knack for repeating itself – as if the world is riding on a karmic carousel. There may be ups and downs along the way, but once the trip has completed a full rotation, the finish will always coincide with the starting point. Jay Richardson, a redshirt senior defensive end for the Buckeyes, can only hope to find truth within this idiom. Rewinding his journey back to a specific point in time, Richardson holds a memory he would like to see reoccur in his immediate future.
A certain Ohio State football game took place Jan. 3, 2003 in Tempe, Ariz. The threat was the opposing team known as the Miami Hurricanes, the reigning national champions who were hungry to add another trophy to their collection. Fast forward to the outcome; any Buckeye fan can tell you how this battle ended. After two heart-pounding overtime sessions, Ohio State won its first national championship title since 1968. The sweet smell of victory must have been in the air.
This image is still so fresh in the mind of Richardson, that he could probably remember which players wore eye-black smeared under each eye that day. Standing on the sideline as a freshman defensive end, Richardson spent his first year as a member of the Ohio State football team watching his idols tear up the field, hoping to someday achieve their greatness. Players he respected like Will Smith and Darrion Scott dominated opponents for a 14-0 undefeated season in 2002, leading to their infamous conquest at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Now, four seasons later with an additional 31 pounds of chiseled muscle added to his physique, Richardson is the one making the tackles. Matured and in the middle of his senior year, he is looking to recreate a perfect season once again by bringing his Ohio State career full circle.
“I want to focus on being as prepared as possible so there are no regrets,” Richardson said. “I want to be able to say before any game that I am prepared mentally and physically. If it means watching a lot of film, practicing well and studying opponents with my team, then I’ll get it done. Friday night, before I go to bed, I want to be able to say I’m as prepared as I can possibly be.
Richardson envisions his feet moving to the tempo on the turf, ready to stalk his opponents as he rushes past the line of scrimmage. Play by play, his mind runs through countless mental scripts the night before a game. After half a decade of practice with the Buckeyes, it is only natural for the motions to become repetition.
Before his collegiate experience, he also played football through middle and high school in his hometown of Dublin, Ohio, a suburb on the northwest edge of Columbus. After adding the tally of his past years with the Dublin Scioto Irish, it is apparent football has been a huge part in the life of this hometown player. Regardless of the infinite times he has stepped on the gridiron, Richardson still loves to experience the intense emotion that encompasses a football game.
“Sometimes I get so much into the game that I forget all of it,” Richardson laughed at his realization. “But the best plays are instinctive. I don’t want to be thinking when I go out there. That is why I prepare, so on Saturday, I can just run around and make plays. That is where it’s got to be.”
As one of the few returning seniors peppered among a young, but talented defense, Richardson abruptly found himself in a role he was not expecting at the beginning of the 2006 season. His previous experience transformed him to one of the new “advice gurus” for the team, as he stepped up to fill the hole left by those who graduated. Usually he was the one asking for counsel. The young Buckeyes had a different plan for him.
“It was weird coming into this year, because I came from trying to help out and just being one of the guys to all the sudden – I am `the guy,'” Richardson said. “The young guys make me want to go out there and step up my game, so they have something to model themselves after. They need someone to watch on the field so they know what to do when it’s their turn to get in the game. It is a role I’ve definitely accepted and embraced.”
Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock has watched Richardson evolve from recruit to seasoned athlete. He is use to the fact that linemen often fly under the radar when it comes to publicity, while explosive plays and touchdowns usually crowd the spotlight. Knowing that the senior has been a great asset to the team, Heacock wants to give Richardson the credit he deserves for his consistency on the field.
“People might say Jay hasn’t played a lot during his time here, but he has – especially during these last two seasons,” Heacock said. “He has made a lot of positive plays and has dominated this year. From every aspect he is a great leader for the line and the whole defense. I know he works hard and has his sight set on his goals.”
There is one person who can fully appreciate the effort Richardson gives to reach his dreams. Deborah Johnson, who is president of the Ohio State football parents’ organization, proudly supports No. 99. Johnson, who is an Ohio State alum herself, plays the role of personal cheerleader for Richardson. He happens to be her favorite player on the team and also is her oldest son.
“My mother has been my complete inspiration and support,” Richardson said. “Watching her go through sacrifices and challenges makes it easier for me to sacrifice things on days when I don’t want to. She has been my total support and I love her to death.”
Reciprocated back to her son are the same feelings of love and support. When asked to describe her thoughts of Richardson’s collegiate experience, her warm tone resonates with pride.
“It’s been great to watch the whole thing evolve,” Johnson said. “He’s right where he wants to be. I just savor every minute of it. Here he is, in his senior year and it goes by in two seconds.”
With his final chapter rapidly coming to a close, Richardson plans to squeeze the life out of every second he has left as a Buckeye. While his time at The Ohio State University might be dwindling, the lessons he has learned will continue to flourish. It is apparent that Richardson has reached his point of arrival.
“My journey has been a roller coaster,” Richardson said. “This year, I told myself it was my last chance to get it right. I took the time to refocus myself and do all the little things in life everyone always talks about – which actually turn out to be the big things. It changes your life. Now, it’s my senior year and it means so much. Coming in as a boy and leaving as a man, I am able to see my hard work pay off.”
