College Football Week 1: NFL Draft big board – Quarterbacks rule
Calvin Ridley
WR, Alabama
Calvin Ridley has his chance to stake his claim as the best receiver in college football this season. There are many that already believe that he is, but it’s about proving it on the field and Ridley should excel once again.
With Jalen Hurts a year older and more experienced after a run at the National Championship, Ridley should have even more opportunities to make plays. His production took a dip after a strong 2015 season in 2016.
He had 769 yards last year compared to the 1,045 that he had in 2015. There were games where it felt like he just wasn’t getting the football or there was much of an attempt to get it to him.
The big reason for that was a new quarterback finding his way throughout the season. The Crimson Tide will once again have a new offensive coordinator as well and a full offseason in the books should help things even more.
He has speed that opposing defensive backs can’t keep up with and he can make the tough catches. Once the football is in his hands, the threat for a big play is there for him. Alabama didn’t find him as much as they should have last season. That will certainly change this year.