Richards Academic All-American

STANFORD, Calif. – Junior strong safety Jordan Richards has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America second team, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Thursday.

Richards, a native of Folsom, Calif., became eligible for selection after being awarded with Capital One Academic All-District VIII first-team honors earlier this season. The public policy major carries a 3.42 grade-point average and was also selected to the Pac-12 All-Academic team for a second straight season.

A starter for all 12 games at strong safety in 2013, Richards leads Stanford with three interceptions and ranks fourth with 62 tackles. He has helped the Cardinal’s defense to rank 13th nationally in scoring defense (19.0 points/game) and 15th in total defense (341.3 yards allowed/game).

Richards has been named Stanford's Defensive Player of the Game on two occasions, first against Washington State and then against UCLA. Richards returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown to help Stanford rout Washington State and came up with two more interceptions in a 24-10 win over UCLA.

His efforts helped him earn All-Pac-12 honorable mention for the second consecutive year.

Richards is one of 48 players on the first- or second-team Academic All-America squads and one of eight defensive backs.

Stanford travels to Arizona State this weekend for the Pac-12 Football Championship Game. The 4:45 p.m. (PT) contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.