Desmond Ridder Bio
Desmond Kelly Ridder is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 31, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ridder played college football at the University of Cincinnati, where he distinguished himself as a standout player, earning multiple accolades including AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors twice. He was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has since made an impact in the league with his strong performances.
Early Life and Background
Desmond Ridder was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to a young mother and was raised by his mother and grandmother. He attended Holy Family Parochial School before transferring to St. Xavier High School, where he excelled in football. As a senior at St. Xavier, Ridder passed for 1,319 yards and nine touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 668 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning All-Metro honors. He was rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and a three-star recruit by 24/7 Sports, ultimately committing to play college football at the University of Cincinnati over an offer from Eastern Kentucky. Ridder received his scholarship offer from Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville following a tryout during his junior year. After Tuberville’s resignation, new coach Luke Fickell honored the offer, allowing Ridder to sign his National Letter of Intent.
Path to American Football
Ridder redshirted his true freshman season in 2017 at the University of Cincinnati. He became the Bearcats’ starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman in 2018, passing for 2,445 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 583 yards and five touchdowns, earning the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Rookie of the Year award. As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, he completed 179 of 325 passes for 2,164 yards and 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions, while rushing for 650 yards and five touchdowns. Ridder’s performance in the 2020 season marked a significant breakout, as he was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 2,296 yards and 19 touchdowns in just nine games. He opted to return for his redshirt senior season, where he continued to build on his success, leading the Bearcats to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Desmond Ridder Career
Early Career (2022)
Desmond Ridder was selected in the third round (74th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. His selection was considered a surprise, as many analysts had projected him to be picked in the first round. During his first training camp, Ridder competed for the starting quarterback position against veteran Marcus Mariota. He made his NFL debut in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints, finishing the game with 97 passing yards and 38 rushing yards. Ridder’s rookie season concluded with 708 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an 86.4 passer rating.
Breakthrough (2023)
In March 2023, Ridder was named the starting quarterback for the Falcons at the start of the season. He faced challenges during the season, including being benched mid-game and later downgraded on the depth chart. Despite these setbacks, he finished the season with 2,836 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, showcasing his resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ridder’s signature achievement thus far includes being a two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year and leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to the College Football Playoff. His transition to the NFL has seen him develop as a quarterback, with notable performances that have garnered attention from fans and analysts alike.
Desmond Ridder Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Desmond Ridder has received several nominations and accolades, including being named AAC Offensive Player of the Year twice and AAC Rookie of the Year.
Desmond Ridder Awards Won
Desmond Ridder has won multiple awards during his college career, including two AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and the AAC Rookie of the Year award.
Desmond Ridder Family
Desmond Ridder is married to his high school sweetheart, Claire Cornett. They married on July 15, 2022, and have two children together.
Personal Life
Ridder’s personal life reflects his commitment to family and his roots in Louisville. He maintains a close relationship with his family and continues to be involved in community activities.
