GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — National signing day always comes with some surprises with recruits sometimes flipping their commitments at the last second or bringing out all of the stops to announce their big move
However, on Wednesday, one local star decided to do something a little bit different.
Forest Hills Central linebacker Max Richardson has reclassified. He just finished his junior season, but decided he wanted to sign with Stanford early after a call he received from his future college coach on December 26 that he has the grades to start a year ahead of time.
The Rangers star was hesitant at first to leave, but he will head out to Palo Alto this summer and forgo his senior year of high school on a full-ride scholarship.
"My first reaction was 'Woah,'" Richardson said. "[I would] probably not [leave early]. I have so much that I want to do. I have a summer ahead that I was looking forward to. I was talking to my parents and it was definitely the best decision for us. It is going to work out great. I am going to have a great summer in California instead of Michigan. I'll get to meet some new people and start working on my future."
He is ready to be a Stanford football player. Richardson was offered in the summer of 2023 and committed three days later.
"I love the room I am going into," Richardson said. "I met a lot of the guys. They are great guys. I believe in the coach and the entire coaching staff. I believe it will be chance to develop myself socially, sports-wise and getting my name out there to make connections."
The plan is for the three-star recruit to redshirt his first year on campus, and he is ready to get to work.
"I am competitive," Richardson said. "I love to compete. I talk my trash when I can but I would definitely characterize myself as a hard worker."
Richardson has big aspirations and he believes he can achieve them at Stanford.
"I would love to be an NFL player," Richardson said. "I believe I have the resources to do so. I fully intend to take advantage of those resources."
Richardson leaves Forest Hills Central as a state champion and leaves his parents with an empty nest. He is the youngest child in the family.
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