Sheldon Richardson, one of the key pieces to Missouri’s recruiting class, is signing with the Tigers.

“It was an emotional decision,” Sheldon Richardson said. “But this is best for everybody.”

Sheldon Richardson, a defensive end/tight end at Gateway Tech in St Louis Missouri, had committed to the Missouri Tigers in June but as other schools continued recruiting him, the suspense built. He visited Miami last weekend and was down to the Tigers and Hurricanes.

“I’m not a recruit anymore,” he told Post-Dispatch correspondent Gerry Fraley. “I’m just a regular freshman now.”

He’s as regular as any 6-4, 290-pound football player can be. Although he talked a lot during the process about wanting to play tight end, Richardson (6-4, 290)  was ranked highest as a defensive lineman. Rivals.com had him as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country and No. 4 prospect overall. ESPN.Com had him at No. 8.

Richardson, who is currently listed by Missouri as a defensive lineman, said he will go to Columbia with the idea of playing both offense and defense. He said he brought up the idea with Missouri coaches during the recruiting process and they didn’t say no.

Richardson, however, has yet to be cleared academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse, but has time to take the ACT test again.

He said he is two points shy and will be taking it again in another week. “I’ll keep taking it all summer if I have to,” Richardson said.

Earlier in the day, Miami signed another nationally ranked tight end in Billy Sanders from Utah, so that could have played a role in Richardson’s decision.

His signing gives Missouri 25 for this class.