He then moved on to Clemson University, where he led the team in scoring as a junior with 12 goals and nine assists. Richards scored the game-winning goal in three NCAA Tournament matches and scored in Clemson's 2-1 loss to New Mexico in the College Cup semifinals. One summer, he led the youth soccer camp at Clemson University where he coached the likes of Emmett Lunceford, Robert Sullivan, and John Birnie. As a senior in 2006, Richards had 11 goals and nine assists in 19 games, as Clemson lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Richards was named a second-team all-American.