John Ridgeway NFL Draft Overview
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 320 pounds
School: Arkansas
John Ridgeway 2022 NFL Draft Profile
John Ridgeway is a defensive tackle that played just one season with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Ridgeway made an immediate impact for Arkansas though. After transferring from an FCS school, Ridgeway started 11 games in his only SEC season. Against the number one ranked program in the nation, Ridgeway had his most tackles of the season. Ridgeway produced seven tackles against Georgia, the highest level of competition of his entire collegiate career. On the season, Ridgeway accounted for 39 tackles and two sacks.
Before his year in the SEC with Arkansas, Ridgeway played at FCS school Illinois State. He was incredibly productive in his FCS time. This led to him transferring for his senior season. Ridgeway was a multi-sport athlete, also competing in track and field events and wrestling in high school. Ridgeway does not have many accolades going into this draft, but he has been productive in all his endeavors on the field thus far.
Strengths:
- Ceiling is unknown
- Adapted to SEC play quickly
- Long and strong
- Multi-sport athlete
Weaknesses:
- Competitive experience
- Most playtime at nose tackle
- Hand fighting
NFL Comparison: John Jenkins
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams
Projection: Fourth Round
Bottom Line on John Ridgeway
John Ridgeway will be an interesting day three selection in this year’s draft. Ridgeway has the size and athleticism that will intrigue teams though. Expect Ridgeway to be drafted in the fourth or fifth round. Teams needing a rotational defensive tackle with upside will likely be targeting Ridgeway. He has the measurables but does not have much experience against high-level college teams. In his 11 games at Arkansas, he did total 39 tackles and two sacks. Ridgeway’s ceiling is unknown after transferring so late in his collegiate career. but that will elevate his draft stock.
The experience at a normal four-man defensive line front could hurt Ridgeway’s draft stock. Ridgeway primarily played as a nose tackle, which very few NFL teams do these days. Ridgeway will be helped by his adaptability. Over this FCS career, Ridgeway was a force on nearly every play. He totaled over 100 tackles in his FCS career. After transferring to Arkansas, Ridgeway fit right into the SEC and played nearly every game for the Razorbacks. Ridgeway was also a multi-sport athlete over his career, also wrestling, which should help his balance going into the NFL.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
