Trent Richardson on his way to Regina with intent of finalizing deal with Riders

Former University of Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson is on his way to Regina with the intention of finalizing an agreement that would make the 2012 third overall NFL pick a Saskatchewan Roughrider, per sources.

Richardson’s agent has been selling his client to CFL teams for at least a month.

The Riders added the 27-year-old runner to their negotiation list on July 28. The Pensacola, Florida native was last on an NFL roster in August 2016.

Richardson rushed for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in 2011. After finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting that season, behind Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck, Richardson ran for 96 yards and one touchdown to help Alabama win the BCS National Championship.

Following the title game victory, Richardson declared for the 2012 NFL Draft. That May, Cleveland traded up to select the five-foot-nine, 230-pound back No. 3 overall. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year $20.4-million deal that included a $13.3-million signing bonus.

Two games into the 2013 NFL season, Indianapolis traded a 2014 first-round pick for Richardson. He spent the rest of the 2013 season and entire 2014 campaign with the Colts. Richardson ran for 977 yards and six touchdowns and recorded 494 yards and one touchdown on 55 catches in 29 games with Indianapolis.

The Riders currently have two American running backs on the roster, led by Cameron Marshall who has 74 carries for 390 yards in seven games this season and Christion Jones, a Crimson Tide product, plus Canadians Greg Morris and Kienan LaFrance.