2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: John Ridgeway
- Position: Interior Defensive Line
- School: Arkansas
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 327lbs
Film Watched: Texas 2021, Georgia 2021, Texas A&M 2021
Pro's:
- Wide, brawny nose tackle that has the size to take on double teams and prosper
- Immovable body. Serious sand in his pants to anchor and maintain pocket integrity
- Motor runs hot on every single play. 100% effort guy who handled the FCS to FBS step up without issue
- Violent hands that visibly rock his opponent on contact
- Hands don’t stop working until the play is dead
- Single blockers ragdolled at the line of scrimmage; effortlessly stacks & sheds to the football
- Gobbles up linemen looking to spring beyond him on pulls or screens
- Plays with low pads, complementing his lower body torque with great leverage
John Ridgeway is a DT prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 4.58 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 719 out of 1325 DT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/oxpBSPBVRv #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/k4gCCpnfXm
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2022
Con's:
- Aggressive, but not explosive; won’t attack the edges of a blocker with speed
- Stiff hipped with limited flexibility and agility – won’t challenge the edges of protection with speed
- Pass rushing repertoire raw – undeveloped by a man who knows he’s not a QB killer
- Has length to stay off blocks but doesn’t always use it – prefers to get close and overpower
- Little experience outside of nose tackle
The Verdict:
“Originally plying his trade at Illinois State, John Ridgeway transferred to Little Rock for his final season at college and proved he was capable of matching up with the best the SEC had to offer. I wouldn’t go as far to say that Ridgeway is an old fashioned, one-dimensional run stuffer, but nullifying the ground game is certainly his bread and butter - the sheer power to move people at will leans to his background in wrestling, complementing his play strength with superb upper and lower technique. Unsurprisingly, Ridgway’s size limits his ability to beat blockers with speed, and whilst he likely could set the edge in a three man front he’s best suited to staying as a nose tackle, predominantly on the field on early downs. He might not have as much versatility as you hope for, but he can be an immediate contributor in the NFL.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: TERRANCE KNIGHTON
PREDICTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
5/5