Panthers safety & Texas A&M alumnus Demani Richardson intercepts reigning UFL MVP vs. Jets

After hauling in two interceptions during practice this past week, Carolina Panthers rookie safety Demani Richardson recorded his first professional turnover on Saturday evening.

The Texas A&M alumnus intercepted reigning UFL MVP Adrian Martinez in the third quarter of a 15-12 preseason loss against the New York Jets . Then Richardson spoke to the media postgame.

“Just doing what I’m coached. We got good coaches and I’m in the right spot. Quarterbacks, they’re not making the right read and I’m just capitalizing on what I’m coached to do,” Richardson said. “Our coaches teach us just to lean to the receiver side or the bad matchup. So, I leaned to the side and the quarterback overthrew the ball.

“I should have scored, but I let a lineman tackle me, so I feel like that’s a bad return. I can’t let a lineman tackle me.”

Richardson may have locked up a roster spot this weekend after impressing head coach Dave Canales.

“Every day is new lessons, learning different coverages, leverage and all that. And the cool part about Demani is, he had an opportunity tonight. He took advantage of it. Sometimes we get those ops and the guy either can or can’t come up with the ball,” Canales explained. “He did a fantastic job of finishing that play, putting us in a good situation, getting us back on the board and really making it a three-point game at that point. So, that was awesome.”

Richardson will have one more opportunity to prove himself this upcoming Saturday at noon CT versus the Buffalo Bills .

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko .