MEDFORD, MA (December 20, 2024) -- For just the third time in Tufts University football program history, the Jumbos have an Associated Press (AP) Division III All-American, as sophomore cornerback
Ty Richardson was selected to the AP All-American Second Team on Thursday afternoon.
For Richardson, it was his second All-American honor of the 2024 season, as he was tabbed as an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American Second Team honoree as well at corner. He becomes just the third all-time AP All-American in program history, joining George Kurker (1956, 1957) and Ron Deveaux (1962) on the list, as both picked up Second Team accolades as well. He is just the 15th all-time New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) player selected to an AP squad since NESCAC football was started in 1971, which was known as the "Little All-America" team back in its inception in 1934. The "Little All-America" squad was Division II and III players until they separated classifications back in 2017.
Richardson is the first Tufts player to earn AP honors since the founding of NESCAC football in 1971, and becomes the first NESCAC player picked in nine seasons since Sam Hart earned the honor from Amherst College in 2015.
Richardson finished the 2024 season with a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) leading six interceptions, totaling 116 return yards as well. He posted two interceptions in the season-opening win against Bowdoin College on September 14, and followed that up with picks against Amherst College, Bates College, Williams College and Middlebury College. The Jumbos won every game in which Richardson had an interception, while the sophomore also added 28 tackles and four more pass break-ups.
The sophomore defensive back was named All-NESCAC First Team after his amazing season, in which he helped the Tufts defense to the second best passing defense in the league, allowing only 177.3 yards per game. Tufts scoring defense was third in the NESCAC as well.
Richardson was the only NESCAC player picked to the AP squad in 2024.
The All-America team and individual honors are chosen by a panel of sports information directors from Division III football schools.
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