A former standout of Alabama football is ready to remind the National Football League who he is.
Calvin Ridley played five games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 and missed the entire 2022 season because of violating the league’s gambling policy. He showed he is one of the best route runners in the pros before the last two years, but people have forgotten about the South Florida native. His finest campaign came in 2015 with the Falcons, as he totaled 90 catches for 1,374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. As a former first-round pick, Ridley got traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
RELATED: Calvin Ridley reacts to DeVonta Smith Top 5 Alabama wide receivers list
In his return to Florida, Ridley teams up with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Doug Peterson, the head coach of the Jaguars, is excited about the potential of the offense. A former five-star recruit, Ridley has been dominating the Detroit Lions in joint practices — snatching touchdown passes from Lawrence. He is making it look easy in giving Lawrence a No. 1 option.
ZEROOOO ‼️@Dream_Finders | #JAXvsDET pic.twitter.com/noudZ9RjCs
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 16, 2023
Calvin down there somewhere 😅@CalvinRidley1 | @Dream_Finders pic.twitter.com/CCHw9nzxiI
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 16, 2023
Ridley made Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American for Alabama in 2015.
He posted 89 catches for 1,045 yards and six touchdowns, helping the Crimson Tide win a College Football Playoff National Championship. Ridley made first-team All-SEC during the 2017 season, pacing the Tide to another CFP national title.
RELATED: Jaguars’ WR says no one in the league can guard Calvin Ridley
He is having success with the Jaguars, and Alabama fans want to see it continue.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
