Former Southern Miss RB Richard earns Raiders roster spot

By Patrick Magee

September 3, 2016 8:32 PM

Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (46) tries to get around Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kelcie McCray (33) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game on Sept. 1 in Oakland, Calif. Tony Avelar Associated Press

Former Southern Miss running back Jalen Richard has made the cut and will be part of the Oakland Raiders' 53-man roster to the start the 2016 season, he told the Sun Herald Saturday night.

That's an impressive achievement for a player who earned a spot on the team through a spring tryout.

Richard, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, made significant contributions during the Raiders' preseason, including a game against Tennessee when he had a pair of kickoff returns for 57 yards and seven carries for 35 yards.

Richard had a big senior season at USM, carrying the ball 185 times for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2015. He also caught 30 passes for 284 yards and two interceptions. He accounted for 1,619 all-purpose yards.

This story was originally published September 3, 2016 at 8:32 PM with the headline "Former Southern Miss RB Richard earns Raiders roster spot."

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