WELLINGTON, Fla. — One of the top college football prospects from South Florida made a major decision about his future on Wednesday.
WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Mark-Antony Richards, a star player from Wellington High School, revealed he's going to Auburn.
"For the next three or four years, I'll be attending Auburn," Richards said as a packed auditorium at Wellington High erupted in cheers. He then hugged his little sister, who was wearing an Auburn cheerleader's uniform.
Richards, who had narrowed his choices down to Auburn, Florida, Miami, Tennessee, and Penn State, thanked God, his family, and all his coaches before making the announcement.
I’ll be signing at 12pm February 6th @ Wellington
— XXI (@Mark21Richards) February 5, 2019
Last week, Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen surprised Richards by flying to Wellington High School on a helicopter and giving him a scholarship offer and commitment letter.
"I didn't expect all this to happen," Richards told WPTV last week. "My coach told me, meet about 1:30 on the field. I come out here and see a helicopter flying from above, it was coach Mullen."
Richards, who's been recruited primarily as a running back, said his talk with Mullen went well.
"It's awesome to be able to do this for the 561," Richards said. "Not many people make it out of here, so I'm grateful."
Six other student athletes from Wellington High School also announced their college choices at Wednesday's ceremony.
Instead of a hat @Mark21Richards little sister made the big reveal in an @AuburnFootball cheerleading uniform! #NationalSigningDay #WellingtonHighSchool pic.twitter.com/RFljGdHrdH
— Sabirah (@sabirahrayford) February 6, 2019