Can Riders’ Trent Richardson better Ricky Williams’ debut?

Trent Richardson is the highest profile running back to debut in the CFL since Ricky Williams in 2006.

The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner played his first pro three-down game on June 17, 2006, in Toronto – the same city Richardson will get his first CFL carry. Williams rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards in the Argos 27-17 win over Hamilton.

Richardson signed with Saskatchewan on September 26 and takes the field 11 days after landing in Regina.

Williams and Richardson are similar players in stature, the former five-foot-10, 225 pounds and the latter five-foot-nine, 225 pounds. Each was a high NFL draft pick, Williams fifth overall in 1999 and Richardson third overall in 2012.

Let’s see if the 27-year-old back can beat what Williams did 11 years ago in his initial CFL outing.