Desmond Ridder Bio
Desmond Kelly Ridder is an American professional football quarterback. Born on August 31, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ridder rose to national prominence during his college career at the University of Cincinnati, where he became one of the most decorated quarterbacks in the history of the American Athletic Conference. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has since continued his career across multiple organizations. Known for his dual-threat ability as both a passer and a runner, Ridder has built a reputation as a determined and team-first signal-caller.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 211 pounds, Ridder combines prototypical size with the athleticism expected of a modern quarterback. After beginning his NFL career with the Falcons, he has since spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers. He is married to Claire Cornett, his high school sweetheart, and the couple has two children.
Early Life and Background
Desmond Kelly Ridder was born on August 31, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was raised primarily by his mother and his grandmother after being born to a young mother, an experience that shaped his close-knit family outlook and strong sense of personal responsibility. Ridder attended Holy Family Parochial School before enrolling at St. Xavier High School in Louisville, where he began to attract attention as a talented young quarterback.
During his time at St. Xavier, Ridder developed into a versatile dual-threat player. As a senior, he passed for 1,319 yards and nine touchdowns while also leading the Tigers in rushing with 668 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning All-Metro honors. Although he was rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and a three-star recruit by 247Sports, his competitive drive and athletic upside made him an intriguing prospect at the next level.
Ridder received his scholarship offer from Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville following a tryout held on the morning of the Kentucky Oaks for offensive coordinator Zac Taylor. After Tuberville resigned during his senior year, new coach Luke Fickell honored the original offer, allowing Ridder to sign his National Letter of Intent and begin his college journey with the Bearcats.
Path to American Football
Ridder’s path to becoming a professional quarterback began during his high school years in Louisville, where he impressed scouts with his poise, leadership, and ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. Despite modest recruiting ratings, his performance against top competition convinced the Cincinnati coaching staff that he had the tools to develop into a high-level college starter.
At the University of Cincinnati, Ridder redshirted his true freshman season in 2017 to adjust to the speed and complexity of the college game. The following year, he was named the starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman, signaling the beginning of one of the most successful tenures by a quarterback in program history. His rapid rise from a lightly recruited prospect to a conference star became one of the defining storylines of his early football career.
Desmond Ridder Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Ridder took over as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback in 2018 and immediately made an impact. He passed for 2,445 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 583 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, earning the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year award. His ability to extend plays with his legs and deliver accurate throws down the field set the tone for his development.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, Ridder completed 179 of 325 passes for 2,164 yards and 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He also rushed for 650 yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating his continued growth as a dual-threat leader. He was later named the Most Valuable Player of the 2020 Birmingham Bowl, where he helped Cincinnati defeat Boston College 38–6 with 95 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 105 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.
Cincinnati Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The 2020 season proved to be a breakthrough campaign for Ridder. He earned Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week honors after a dominant performance against 16th-ranked SMU. He finished the year with 2,296 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and six interceptions, along with 592 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in just nine games, earning AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Ridder considered declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft but opted to return for his redshirt senior season. In 2021, he again earned Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week honors after leading seventh-ranked Cincinnati to a road win over ninth-ranked Notre Dame, snapping the Fighting Irish’s 26-game home winning streak. Following an unbeaten 12–0 regular season and a victory in the AAC Championship Game, Cincinnati became the first Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff. The Bearcats ultimately fell 27–6 to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semi-finals, but Ridder finished his final college season with 30 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in program history.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–2023)
Following the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, where Ridder posted a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round with the 74th overall pick. He entered training camp competing with veteran Marcus Mariota for the starting job and was named the backup to open the season. After the Falcons struggled to a 5–8 record, Ridder was elevated to starter in Week 15. He made his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints and earned his first career win in Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals, finishing his rookie season with 708 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
In 2023, Ridder entered the season as Atlanta’s starting quarterback. He played in multiple stretches before being benched and later reinserted as the starter, finishing the year with 2,836 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and five rushing touchdowns. His two seasons with the Falcons established him as a young, competitive starter, but the team ultimately moved on following the 2023 season.
Las Vegas Raiders and Beyond (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore. After losing the backup quarterback battle to Clayton Tune, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad before joining the Las Vegas Raiders on October 21, 2024, following an injury to Aidan O’Connell. With the Raiders, Ridder appeared in multiple games during the 2024 season, including a Week 15 start against his former Falcons.
In 2025, Ridder signed with the Cincinnati Bengals before training camp, was waived at final roster cuts, and later joined the Minnesota Vikings following an injury to J. J. McCarthy. He was waived and re-signed to the practice squad before being released again in December 2025. On December 31, 2025, the Green Bay Packers signed Ridder to their practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2026, before being released on May 4.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ridder’s most defining collegiate milestone came in 2021, when he led Cincinnati to an undefeated regular season and a College Football Playoff appearance, becoming the first quarterback from a Group of Five program to reach the national semi-finals. His 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine also stands out as one of the fastest times ever recorded by a quarterback at the event, highlighting his rare athletic profile at the position.
Desmond Ridder Career Wins
Throughout his career, Desmond Ridder has accumulated a series of team and individual victories across college and professional levels. While detailed win totals in the NFL continue to evolve, his most celebrated success came during the 2021 college season, when he guided Cincinnati to a perfect 13-win campaign that included the AAC Championship and a historic College Football Playoff semi-final appearance.
Cincinnati Highlights
Ridder compiled an overall record as a starter at Cincinnati that included conference championships and signature road victories, including the 2021 win at Notre Dame that ended a 26-game home winning streak. He finished his college career with multiple school records and earned two AAC Offensive Player of the Year awards.
Other Wins and Performances
At the professional level, Ridder earned his first NFL victory with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17 of the 2022 season against the Arizona Cardinals. He has also been recognized for his performances in relief appearances with the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2024 season, including passing touchdowns and competitive outings against teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos.
Desmond Ridder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Desmond Ridder was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, primarily by his mother and his grandmother. His upbringing in a close family environment played a central role in shaping his character, work ethic, and resilience, qualities that have carried into his professional football career.
Personal Life
Ridder married his high school sweetheart, Claire Cornett, on July 15, 2022. The couple has two children and has continued to maintain a strong family presence despite the demands of Ridder’s professional career across multiple NFL organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Desmond Ridder’s 2025 season was defined by movement across multiple organizations. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of training camp in July, was waived at final roster cuts in late August, and was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings in mid-September after an injury to J. J. McCarthy. He appeared in limited action for the Vikings before being waived in early October, later re-signed to the practice squad in late November following McCarthy’s placement in concussion protocol, and was released again in early December.
On December 31, 2025, the Green Bay Packers signed Ridder to their practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster on January 6, 2026, providing him a late-season opportunity to contribute. His 2025 campaign highlighted the perseverance required to remain active in the NFL, as he continued to prepare and perform as a dependable backup option across several teams.
Looking ahead, Ridder’s experience as a reliable reserve and his proven dual-threat skill set position him as a strong candidate for backup or developmental roles across the league. His ability to step into multiple offensive systems and contribute both as a passer and a runner remains his most marketable strength as he continues his professional journey.
