Demani Richardson snags INT—and possibly roster spot—in Panthers preseason game

Texas A&M football fan favorite Demani Richardson could have just played his way into Panther roster spot

There's been a lot of buzz around the undrafted rookie safety out of Texas A&M football, Demani Richardson, up in Charlotte. The Aggie DB out of Waxahachie has been making plays in camp, turning heads even as a guy who no team deigned to select in any of the seven rounds.

His impressive play is carrying over, it seems, into actual games. Well, yes, they're preseason games, but this is the forum in which players hoping to secure a roster spot can showcase their skills in live action for the fans.

Richardson is doing his best to take advantage of that opportunity. In the 3rd quarter of the Panthers' preseason matchup with the New York Jets, Richardson made a beautiful play on third down, snagging an interception off of the NYJ quarterback.

Demani was no doubt helped by the fact that the QB absolutely airmailed that throw, but there's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. The Aggie DB made the right read and break on the ball, and was in position to deliver a big hit even if the pass was on target.

Even aside from that, I'm struck with just how fast Demani looks in this clip. He didn't often showcase a high rate of speed while in College Station (except for when he was running the convoy for Leon O'Neal's pick-six against Kent State in the 2021 opener), but he looks very spry here.

Panthers fans are beginning to rally around Richardson because of his playmaking ability—an ability that is becoming difficult to deny for anyone keeping a close eye on him. Reportedly, the decision-makers up in Charlotte have been impressed with his play as well.

It's beginning to look more and more like Richardson may have carved out a nice niche for himself out in the NFC South. Hopefully, he'll be as big of a contributor for the Panthers as he was for the Aggies.