JACKSON — It was an interesting Friday for former Natchez High standout Rico Richardson.

Richardson was absent at Friday morning’s practice after apparently leaving the Jackson State football program on Thursday, but after an afternoon meeting with Jackson State coaches, decided to come back to the team and “ride it out.”

“They wanted to know why I left and wanted me to come back,” Richardson said about his Friday meeting with the coaching staff. “They said I was supposed to be a starter and a big part of their offense.”

Richardson said he wanted to finish what he started at Jackson State.

“I had already started training camp and all that, so I might as well go ahead and finish it,” he said.

Richardson, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound wide receiver, had impressed coaches with his play in two weeks of preseason practice with the Tigers, but stunned coaches with his decision to leave the program.

Jackson State head coach Rick Comegy told The Clarion-Ledger that coaches at a junior college convinced Richardson that it could provide a better opportunity and a chance to play at a Division 1-A program if he came to their school and played for two years. Comegy wouldn’t name the program.

Richardson wouldn’t comment on why he originally chose to leave the Jackson State program.

Richardson helped lead the Natchez High football program to its first playoff appearance and playoff victory in 11 years last season.

He ranked No. 5 in the state with 891 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and was a second-team all-state selection by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

Richardson said he will be back at JSU’s practice today, and still expects to compete for a starting wide receiver spot.

“The coaches love me,” Richardson said. “I still think I’m going to do well when I go back. I’m happy with my decision to stay.”