Trent Richardson to sign with new league to begin NFL comeback attempt

Minnesota Vikings made Richardson the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Trent Richardson, a former first-round NFL draft pick, said he's returning to play football in Alabama.

The ex-Crimson Tide running back told AL.com on Wednesday that he intends to sign with the Alliance of American Football league's team in Birmingham. The new league will begin to play in February. He eventually hopes to return to the NFL, he said.

The Minnesota Vikings made Richardson the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft, then traded him to Cleveland in a draft-day move. He had a promising rookie season, gaining 950 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground. In September 2013, however, the Browns traded him to Indianapolis for a 2014 first-round draft pick.

The Colts waived him in early 2015, and he hasn't since played in the NFL. He was signed and cut by Oakland and Baltimore, then played in 2017 for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Richardson, 28, chose not to return to the CFL this season.

Richardson rushed for 2,032 yards and 17 touchdowns in 46 career NFL games. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting when he rushed for 1,679 yards and scored 24 total touchdowns for Alabama.

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