Despite making an early commitment to UCLA back in the fall of 2008, Gardena (Calif.) Serra receiver Paul Richardson is reopening his recruitment.
“I’ve de-committed from UCLA,” said Richardson. “UCLA is still high on the list but I committed too early. I'm exploring all of my options right now near and far.”
Richardson verballed during the early part of his junior year to the Bruins, committing to play where his father, Paul Sr., played.
But in March at the Badger/Scout 7on7 tournament, he said he was still planning to take official visits to other schools, softening his verbal somewhat.
This week, though, he decided to become completely open. “I am completely wide open right now,” said Richardson. “I'm open to talk to everyone and will most likely hold off on official trips until after the season and work them around my basketball schedule.”
The new list of schools that Richardson is considering is thick with Pac-10 programs.
“My top schools are Cal, Oregon, UCLA, Arizona State, USC, Colorado and Oregon State,” said Richardson. “I don't have offers from USC and Oregon but I’m talking to them. I might do the USC camp during the summer.”
Richardson said he was notifying receivers coach Reggie Moore this weekend, but will have to wait to talk to head coach Rick Neuheisel.
“Coach Neuheisel is out of the country right now but I'm talking to Coach Moore again today or Saturday,” said Richardson.
As a junior for Los Alamitos (Calif.), Richardson had 40 catches for 705 yards and a team leading 13 touchdown receptions.
He’ll be at the Scout.com Combine in Los Angeles tomorrow.