Devin Richardson Bio
Devin Richardson is an American professional football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at New Mexico State, Texas, and Washington State. Born on December 5, 1999, in Klein, Texas, Richardson earned All-District 15-6A honors while playing high school football. He was later named a freshman All-American during his college career. After going undrafted in 2024, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and subsequently joined the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
Early Life and Background
Devin Richardson was born on December 5, 1999, in Klein, Texas. Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a professional Call of Duty player before his focus shifted to football. He attended Klein High School, where he developed into a credible linebacker prospect in the talent-rich Texas football scene.
At Klein High School, Richardson earned All-District 15-6A honors for his work on the field. In the class of 2018, 247Sports.com rated him the No. 109 outside linebacker in Texas and the No. 234 overall prospect in the state. Those ratings, combined with his senior production, helped him secure a college opportunity at the FBS level.
Path to American Football
Richardson began his college career with the New Mexico State Aggies of New Mexico State University. He saw action in four games as a true freshman in 2018, recording one solo tackle before the coaching staff redshirted him to preserve a year of eligibility. The redshirt season allowed him to develop physically and learn the defensive scheme before taking on a larger role.
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Richardson started ten games and produced 24 solo tackles, 45 assisted tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass breakup. His three forced fumbles led the team and were tied for the most among independents that year. That production earned him freshman All-American recognition from the Football Writers Association of America, marking him as one of the top young defenders in the country.
Devin Richardson Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Richardson’s first three college seasons at New Mexico State shaped him into a disruptive linebacker. After a quiet four-game debut in 2018, he became a full-time starter in 2019 and delivered one of the most aggressive freshman seasons in the program’s recent history. His combination of tackling volume and ball-stripping instincts set him apart from his peers.
The COVID-19 shortened 2020 season limited his opportunities, as he appeared in just one game and posted three solo tackles and five assisted tackles. Despite the small sample size, the Aggies coaching staff had seen enough to know Richardson could play at a high level. By the end of his New Mexico State run, he had established himself as a Power Five-caliber defender.
Texas Longhorns (2021–2022)
Richardson transferred to play for the Texas Longhorns of the University of Texas at Austin in 2021. He appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season, working primarily on special teams and recording three solo tackles and two assisted tackles. His role was limited, but the chance to compete inside a Power Five program helped him refine his technique against elite competition.
In 2022, Richardson appeared in nine games and totaled six solo tackles and five assisted tackles. Although he did not crack the starting lineup, he continued to develop his craft as a coverage linebacker and a special teams contributor. After two seasons in Austin, he entered the transfer portal looking for a final college home where he could showcase his full skill set.
Washington State Cougars Breakthrough (2023)
Richardson transferred to play his final season of college football for the Washington State Cougars of Washington State University in 2023. The move paid off quickly, as he played in all 12 games and started seven, recording 31 solo tackles, 31 assisted tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. His reliability against the run and his comfort in space made him a key piece of the Cougars defense.
The 2023 campaign served as Richardson’s career-defining college moment. Putting together balanced tackle numbers while forcing turnovers, he proved he could handle a starting workload in a Power Five conference. That senior film, paired with his earlier freshman All-American recognition, set the stage for his professional opportunity.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft, Richardson signed with the Seattle Seahawks on May 13, 2024. He appeared in one preseason game, posting three tackles while allowing two catches for 13 yards. Although he did not make the initial 53-man roster, his preseason performance was promising enough to keep him in the organization.
Richardson was waived on August 19, 2024, and later signed to Seattle’s practice squad on October 3. His stay on the practice squad was brief, however, as he was released by the Seahawks on October 8, 2024. The short window with Seattle gave him his first taste of an NFL building, even if a regular-season appearance did not follow.
BC Lions Era (2024–2025)
Richardson signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on December 20, 2024. He was cut at the end of training camp, but the Lions quickly signed him to their practice squad. The CFL provided a fresh opportunity to revive his professional career on the other side of the border.
Richardson later joined the Lions’ active roster for one game in June, though he did not see the field. He was subsequently reassigned to the practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the 2025 CFL season. On November 9, 2025, the Lions released him, returning him to free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Richardson is best known as a tackling linebacker with a nose for the football. His college production consistently featured strong assisted-tackle numbers, suggesting he is comfortable working through traffic and finishing in space. The freshman All-American recognition at New Mexico State, along with his starting role at Washington State, shows he can hold his own as a three-down linebacker when given the chance.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature collegiate moment came during the 2019 season at New Mexico State, when he led the team with three forced fumbles and earned freshman All-American honors. Signing with the Seattle Seahawks in May 2024 marked his entry into professional football, while his move to the BC Lions later that year gave him his first sustained opportunity in the CFL.
Devin Richardson Career Wins
Devin Richardson has yet to record a verified regular-season win at the professional level. His career wins are currently limited to his achievements in college football and his development as a linebacker across multiple programs. As a free agent, his next opportunity to add a professional win to his résumé will come whenever he signs with a new team.
College Highlights
At New Mexico State, Richardson’s most notable win was earning freshman All-American recognition from the Football Writers Association of America in 2019. He also led the Aggies in forced fumbles that season, tying for the most among independent-program defenders. Those accomplishments made him one of the most productive young linebackers in the country.
Other Performances
Beyond his freshman accolades, Richardson logged starting experience at Washington State in 2023, where he started seven of twelve games and delivered 62 total tackles. His time at Texas, while statistically quieter, gave him valuable Power Five experience and special teams reps. Together, those seasons shaped a linebacker profile built on tackling and special teams reliability.
Devin Richardson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no verified public information about Devin Richardson’s parents, extended family, or any multi-generational football lineage. Details about his family background have not been widely reported in the verified sources available.
Personal Life
Public records do not provide verified information about a spouse, partner, or children for Devin Richardson. He has kept his personal life largely private, and only his hometown of Klein, Texas, and his high school background have been widely confirmed. As a free agent linebacker navigating the early stages of his professional career, his on-field story remains the primary focus of public coverage.
2025 Season Performance
Devin Richardson’s 2025 season was spent with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. After signing in December 2024, he was cut at the end of training camp and added to the Lions’ practice squad. He briefly joined the active roster for one game in June but did not see the field, and he was reassigned to the practice squad for the rest of the year.
Richardson remained on the BC Lions’ practice squad through most of the 2025 CFL campaign, continuing to develop within the organization’s system. Although he did not record regular-season statistics, his presence on the practice roster kept him involved in the team’s defensive preparation. That routine work offered him a chance to stay game-ready while waiting for a larger opportunity.
On November 9, 2025, the Lions released Richardson, returning him to free agency. With the season complete, he now faces an offseason of evaluation and free-agent decisions as he looks for his next professional home. His mix of college production and CFL practice-squad experience leaves him positioned to compete for a roster spot in either league.