WEST PALM BEACH – Let’s get this out the way right now.

Gio Richardson is the best high school football quarterback in Palm Beach County, and there’s no true competition for his top spot at this time.

The 2019 Oxbridge Academy signal caller is the type of player that any coach would love to have on his team. This is due to Richardson’s much-heralded combination of pure talent, execution, heart, hustle, and solid character traits on and off the field.

Listed at 6-1, 195 pounds, Richardson has offers right now from the likes of FAU, Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee, Tennessee State, and Liberty. His recruiting stock promises to be on the rise over the next several months.

“I should be getting more pretty soon,” he said.

At this current moment, FAU is in the lead for Richardson’s services.

“I don’t really talk to them right now, but I’ll be texting them pretty soon,” the Thunderwolves quarterback said of FAU. “They have a great school and a great coach. I have to take a trip there to see how the campus is. I’m just happy they recruited me and believe in me.”

Richardson, who led Oxbridge Academy to a 41-0 spring game win over Royal Palm Beach on May 17, said he would prefer to play college football in his home state of Florida.

“I want to stay in Florida right now,” the dual-threat quarterback said. “But if I have to go out of state, it’s going to have to be well for my family. I have to make the right decision for me.”

Richardson stated his preferred style of play.

“I like fast tempo offenses,” he said. “I don’t like being under center a lot. But if I have to, I’ll go under center.”

As for summer preparation with his teammates at Oxbridge Academy, Richardson said everyone will need to get better.

“We need to get better on offense,” he said. “Everyone has to get in better shape. We were gassing at the end of our spring game.”

Richardson’s spring game was solid, as he threw for a touchdown pass to Jeremiah Desire and ran for another one in the first half against Royal Palm Beach.

“I felt like I could have done better,” he said. “But I thank my linemen for protecting me.”

Richardson’s junior season was one to remember. The signal caller accounted for 33 total touchdowns and led Oxbridge Academy to its best season ever, as last year’s No. 1 team in Palm Beach County reached the Class 3A state title game for the first time.

Here’s hoping the next several months will be the best yet for Richardson’s recruiting process, his dreams of winning a state championship, and much more.