Player: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Game: at Auburn (#6), 2:30 PM CT
Touchdown!
What They’re Saying
Albert Breer talks to a lot of scouts and projects Ridley 16th to the Baltimore Ravens. His explanation:
Baltimore’s still chasing some of its mistakes at receiver, so they take a guy who’s a pretty sure thing from a program they know well.
From Charlie Campbell at Walter Football:
In surveying sources from five teams, the most common name that came up as the top receiver was Ridley. The talented junior gets a lot of praise for his route-running, quickness, and generally having good hands. Ridley has 41 catches for 523 yards with two touchdowns on the season, but his production is held back by Alabama featuring its ground attack while using a running quarterback with passing limitations. Though Ridley is the top consensus wide out, he doesn’t come without some concerns as multiple sources say independently that his thin frame worries them for the NFL. He is listed at 190 pounds, but team sources say that he has weighed-in in the 180s. With that being one factor, some scouts have said they are grading Ridley as a late first-rounder. He could end up going high out of team need at his premium position, however.
Luke Easterling at USA Today profiled a recent Ridley performance:
When Alabama needed a big play to avoid being yet another top-five team to fall victim to an upset, they wisely turned to their most explosive playmaker to bail them out.
And that’s exactly what Calvin Ridley did all night long.
Ridley hadn’t eclipsed 100 yards in a game yet this season, but needed just five receptions to rip off 171 yards in the Crimson Tide’s 31-24 road win over Mississippi State on Saturday night, averaging 34.2 yards per reception.
I Think
- Ridley is not going to blow people away with his measurables. He’s not huge and he’s not a burner. He’s a steady, productive wide receiver at college football’s most elite program.
- I never know what to do with these Alabama players. Everyone thought Amari Cooper would be one of the best receivers in the NFL and he’s about the third best wide receiver on the Raiders currently. What I like about Ridley’s production at Alabama is he does it with limited opportunities in a run-heavy offense.
- If Ridley adds about 10-15 pounds, he could be Anquan Boldin in the NFL. Great hands. Great in traffic. Fearless.
Why Watch This Week
Because the entire sports world will be watching so why wouldn’t you? Every game Alabama plays is a big game but this Iron Bowl, at Auburn, with the playoffs on the line, will be the most exciting atmosphere in college football all season long. Will be interesting to watch Ridley under these lights.
