When Notre Dame fans look back on this offseason’s transfer portal departures, Antavious “Scrap” Richardson might be the one that lingers the longest. Not because he was a household name or a contributor in 2025 - he wasn’t. But because of what he could become, and where he’s headed.
Richardson, a speedster with raw athleticism and positional flexibility, is taking his talents to Auburn. And while he didn’t see the field for the Irish last season, his departure still raises eyebrows - especially considering the path he's now charting under a familiar coach in the SEC.
A Hidden Gem in South Bend
Richardson arrived at Notre Dame as a wide receiver, but his role quickly became more developmental than dynamic. He spent his time on the scout team, even taking reps at quarterback. That versatility says a lot about his athletic profile, but also hints at the uncertainty Notre Dame had about how to deploy him.
Still, the Irish saw enough in him to flip him away from USF during his recruitment. Back then, he was a rising three-star prospect out of Greenville, Georgia, committed to then-Bulls head coach Alex Golesh.
But as Richardson’s stock rose in the summer and fall of 2024, so did the attention from bigger programs. Notre Dame swooped in and secured his commitment, betting on upside.
Now, that bet has walked out the door - and landed right back with Golesh, who’s now running the show at Auburn.
A New Chapter, A New Position
What makes Richardson’s transfer particularly intriguing is the position switch. Auburn plans to move him to cornerback - a move that plays to his speed and instincts. He didn’t get a chance to showcase those traits in South Bend, but he’ll have a clean slate on the Plains, with four full years of eligibility thanks to his redshirt season.
This isn’t just a fresh start; it’s a reunion. Golesh knows what he’s getting in Richardson, and that familiarity could accelerate his development at a new position. If he adapts quickly, Notre Dame may end up watching a former scout team player blossom into a contributor - on the other side of the ball and the country.
The Long View: 2027 and 2028
Here’s where it gets even more interesting: Auburn and Notre Dame are set to meet in a home-and-home series in 2027 and 2028. If Richardson sticks with the Tigers, he’ll have the chance to line up against his former team - potentially as a starting cornerback.
That’s the kind of full-circle storyline that college football delivers so well. A player who never saw the field in South Bend could be staring down Irish receivers just two years from now - wearing SEC colors, coached by the man Notre Dame once flipped him from.
Why It Matters
Notre Dame isn’t short on talent, and losing a redshirt freshman who hadn’t cracked the rotation isn’t a program-shifting blow. But Richardson represents the kind of high-upside athlete that can quietly develop into something special - especially when given time, trust, and the right fit.
The Irish coaching staff clearly saw something in him during the recruiting process. Now, that same potential will be developed elsewhere. And if Scrap Richardson finds his footing at corner in the SEC, Notre Dame might look back and wonder what could’ve been.