NFF National Scholar-Athletes
QB – North Carolina Central University
3.59 GPA – Business Administration
Head Coach: Trei Oliver | Athletics Director: Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Deborah Fortune
Recipient of the Coach Eddie Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award,
Endowed by the George M. Steinbrenner Family and the New York Yankees Foundation
Described by head coach Trei Oliver as “a strong yet humble leader who remains even keeled under pressure,” Davius Richard quarterbacked North Carolina Central to a conference title while maintaining an impressive 3.59 GPA in the classroom. The Belle Glade, Florida, native now becomes the Eagles’ first NFF National Scholar-Athlete in school history.
Graduating magna cum laude last December, Richard is currently working towards his MBA. The 2023 FCS Athletics Directors Association (ADA) Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Richard made the FCS ADA Academic All-Star and the CSC Academic All-District teams in 2022, and he was a member of the 2023 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
Last season, Richard guided NCCU to its first MEAC title since 2016 and a victory over Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl. The team finished 10-2, marking only the third time in school history the Eagles posted 10 wins or more, and a final No. 17 ranking, the highest in school annals at the end of a season. Currently 6-1, the Eagles are ranked No. 10.
A three-time team captain, Richard claimed MEAC Offensive Player of the Year honors last season. He was also a Walter Payton Award finalist and the BOXTOROW Impact Player of the Year in 2022. A two-time All-MEAC selection, Richard was the 2022 Celebration Bowl Offensive MVP and the 2021 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Offensive MVP.
Richard entered the 2023 season having passed for 6,814 yards and 52 touchdowns while rushing for 1,396 yards and 26 touchdowns during his career, ranking second all-time at NCCU in career passing yards, career passing touchdowns and career total offense with 8,210 yards. He led the MEAC last year in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns, and he ranked fifth nationally for points responsible with 244. He is just the second quarterback in NCCU history to pass for 2,000 yards in three-consecutive seasons. He has passed for 949 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 377 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. His 36 career rushing touchdowns now stand as the school record.
A member of the NCCU Football Leadership Council, Richard has hosted youth football clinics, helping develop local aspiring young players.
(All Stats of Oct. 25, 2023)
