Calvin Ridley: From College Star to NFL Standout

Calvin Orin Ridley (born December 20, 1994) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Titans signed Calvin Ridley as an unrestricted free agent early in the 2024 offseason. The 6-foot-1-inch, 190-pounder brings a veteran presence to the receiving corps and is considered by many as one of the best route runners in the NFL.

Early Life and High School Career

Calvin Orin Ridley was born to Colin Ridley and Kay Daniels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When he was younger, Ridley played Pop Warner football in the same league as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown and Ravens cornerback Trayvon Mullen, in the Pompano Beach area of Florida just four miles from the high school he would attend. Ridley attended Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he played high school football for the Knights. As a senior (2014), was only able to play three games due to Florida age restriction rules, which doesn't allow anyone over the age of 19 and nine months to be eligible.

The Ridley brothers, including Calvin and his younger brothers, spent parts of their childhood growing up in foster homes in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He says that's when football saved his life. The Ridley brothers were moved to SOS Children's Village in Coconut Creek, Fla - a small complex with 10 houses and around 150 apartments. He used to wake up in the morning and bang on all the doors, rounding up everybody to play football.

College Career at Alabama

Ridley played in 44 games over three seasons (2015-17) at Alabama and finished his career second in Crimson Tide history with 224 receptions and 19 receiving touchdowns. He was a part of the national championship-winning teams in 2015 and 2017. Ridley earned immediate playing time as a true freshman in 2015.

2015 Season: Freshman Phenom

In his first career game on September 5, 2015, he had three receptions for 22 yards against the University of Wisconsin. He scored his first collegiate touchdown in a victory over Louisiana-Monroe on September 26. In the following game, against Georgia, he had five receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown in the victory. He followed that up with 140 receiving yards and a touchdown in a victory over Arkansas. In the SEC Championship against Florida, he had eight receptions for 102 yards in the victory.

As a true freshman (2015), selected to the SEC All-Freshman team and the All-SEC second team by the Associated Press after setting the Alabama single-season freshman receiving record with 1,045 yards, eclipsing the previous mark of 1,000 held by Amari Cooper (2012). Reeled in a team-leading 89 catches with 17 of his grabs going for 15-plus yards, including five of his seven scores. The Alabama Crimson Tide made the College Football Playoff.

2016 Season: Continued Success

In the 2016 season, Ridley remained a strong threat for the Crimson Tide. In the second game of the season, he had nine receptions for 129 receiving yards and a touchdown against Western Kentucky. On October 1, Ridley hauled in 11 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns against the University of Kentucky. His 11 receptions, 174 yards, and two touchdowns were career highs.

As a sophomore (2016), posted 72 catches for 769 yards with seven touchdowns. Notched five or more catches in 20 of his 30 career games played and 39 of his receptions went for a first down or a touchdown. Over the remainder of the 2016 season, he had 41 receptions for 371 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Alabama once again won the SEC Championship and made the College Football Playoff.

2017 Season: All-SEC Honors

In the 2017 season, Ridley started off strong with seven receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown in the 24-7 victory over Florida State. On November 11, against Mississippi State, he had five receptions for 171 receiving yards in the victory.

As a junior (2017), named first team All-SEC by the coaches after leading the Tide with 63 catches for 967 yards and five touchdown receptions. His 967 yards were good for third in the SEC while his 63 receptions ranked sixth in the conference. Alabama made the College Football Playoff once again in the 2017 season.

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NFL Career

Atlanta Falcons (2018-2021)

Ridley was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (26th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

2018 Season: Rookie Standout

Ridley was named the Offensive Rookie of the Month for September after collecting six touchdown receptions, which was the most in the league and tied an NFL record for a rookie in his first four games. In Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ridley broke the Falcons single-season receiving touchdowns by a rookie record after scoring 10 touchdowns. The record was previously set by Junior Miller in 1980. Ridley finished the 2018 season leading all rookies in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, as well as leading all rookie wide receivers in receptions.

2019 Season

In Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, Ridley caught four passes for 64 yards and the first receiving touchdown of the season as the Falcons lost 12-28. In Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Ridley caught eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons won 24-20. In Week 11 against the Panthers, Ridley finished with eight catches for 143 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Falcons won 29-3. In Week 14 against the Panthers, Ridley had five catches for 76 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 40-20 win.

2020 Season

Ridley continued to be a key part of the Falcons' offense in 2020, showcasing his talent and solidifying his role as a top receiver in the league. He was named second-team All-Pro for his performance during the season.

2021 Season and Suspension

On September 12, 2021, the Ridley's home was robbed while he was playing against the Philadelphia Eagles. After announcing midway through the 2021 season that he would be stepping away from football due to mental health reasons, it was later revealed that Ridley would be suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for violating the league's gambling policy. The NFL announced on March 7, 2022, that Ridley would be suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on games in the previous season, including on his own team.

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Ridley addressed the situation, stating: "I just f***ed up. Period. In a dark moment, I made a stupid mistake. I wasn't trying to cheat the game. That's the thing I want to make clear. At the time, I had been completely away from the team for about a month. I was still just so depressed and angry, and the days were so long."

Jacksonville Jaguars (2023)

On November 1, 2022, despite being suspended for at least the entire 2022 season, the Falcons traded Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars for conditional 2023 sixth-round and 2024 fourth-round picks. On September 10, 2023, Ridley made his Jaguars debut in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Tennessee Titans (2024-Present)

PRO: The Titans signed Calvin Ridley as an unrestricted free agent early in the 2024 offseason. In 2024, Ridley led the Titans with 64 receptions and 1,017 receiving yards.

Recent News

Ridley (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports. With Ridley out, look for Elic Ayomanor and Van Jefferson (ankle) -- if available -- to lead the Titans' WR corps versus New England. Chimere Dike and Tyler Lockett also should mix in, as was the case Week 6 when Ridley exited after just six snaps. Ridley's next chance to play will occur Sunday, Oct. 26 against the Colts.

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