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(AP) -- Top Missouri recruit Sheldon Richardson is finally practicing with the Tigers after being cleared academically by the NCAA.

The junior college transfer from St. Louis reported to practice Thursday more than 2½ years after committing to the school.

The defensive lineman is 310 pounds and was impressive in his first appearance.

Richardson was considered one of the top prospects in the nation when he signed in February 2009, but after failing to qualify academically he ended up at College of Sequoias in Visalia, Calif.

He briefly committed to Southern California last fall before re-signing with Missouri.

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