This fall, he’s going after history.
Even before the end of his freshman season, former Alabama standout Amari Cooper and media pundits alike knew there was something special about rising junior wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
While his ability to adjust to two different quarterbacks is amazing enough, it is Ridley’s work ethic and full effort in practice that makes him a joy to watch. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, the Florida native is an All-American, two-time Southeastern Conference champion and a College Football Playoff national champion; nevertheless, he desires something more.
A complete student of the game, Ridley wants to end his Crimson Tide career in the same manner as his predecessor and fellow Florida native – earning every school career record.
Before he was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Cooper’s three-year tenure at Alabama ended with 228 receptions for 3,463 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. Cooper and ex-Tide signal caller Blake Sims developed a strong relationship in 2014, and one in which helped the Biletnikoff Award winning target post a single-season school record of 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 scores.
Alabama would go on to defeat Missouri, 42-13, in the SEC title game.
After having one year under his belt, Tide fans will be expecting the same chemistry between Ridley and sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts. Following his seven touchdown performance in 2016, the talented wide out hauled in eight receptions (three scores) in last week’s scrimmage.
#Alabama WR Calvin Ridley leading the troops in warmups. pic.twitter.com/V5YdvSVljl
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) April 8, 2017
In the eyes of Nick Saban, Ridley is the “alpha dog” of this year’s receiving core. Even with him becoming more vocal and passing quality traits to others, he also knows what awaits him should he produce another 1,000-yard campaign. Currently, Ridley has 161 catches for 1,814 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.
He can realistically tie Cooper in receptions and touchdowns if he was to snag 67 passes, including 17 for scores. The problem in Ridley’s quest to pass Cooper lies in the production of Cam Sims, Robert Foster, Jerry Jeudy and whomever else decides to emerge. Nagging injuries to DeAndrew White and a lack of heavy involvement with Christion Jones allowed Cooper to record immense numbers in 2014.
A national championship is all that matters where Tide fans are concerned, but Ridley wants make sure every NFL Draft analyst views him as the top receiver in the 2018 class.
As the team prepares for its second scrimmage, spring game and the 2017 season, the question that may be asked is will Alabama find ways to help its main wide out re-write history?
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
