25 NCAA players that could appear on a future Madden NFL cover
By Roje Smith
3. Calvin Ridley – WR – Alabama Crimson Tide
Entering the 2015 season, one of the biggest questions on the Alabama campus was, “Who is going to replace Amari Cooper as our star receiver?” The answer to that question was answered emphatically by another high school product from South Florida. His name is Calvin Ridley, and he is arguably the best WR in the country.
As a true freshman last year, Ridley broke the Alabama school record for most receiving yards by a first-year player, with his 1,045 yards besting Cooper’s previous record of 1,000. Ridley also reeled in 89 catches, an SEC freshman record and the second-most by a true freshman at the FBS level. Additionally, he caught seven TDs in which five of them were on plays of 30 yards or more. It’s clear that Ridley is an explosive threat through the air, as well as a polished route-runner and a super-explosive runner.
Even though he’s not draft eligible until the 2018 NFL Draft, Ridley is already considered to be one of the top receivers. He would most likely be the first receiver chosen in the 2017 draft and that’s not a knock on the other excellent WRs out there. Ridley is already a star, and is only going to get better. There’s a great chance that he will get into the NFL and emerge as one of the top receivers quickly.
Before Odell Beckham, Jr was on the cover of Madden NFL 16, Calvin Johnson was the last receiver to be featured on it. Within the next five years, it’s more than possible for Ridley to become the second WR named Calvin to grace a Madden cover.
Next: 2. The Chosen One?