2021 Group of Five season preview: Predictions, playoff threats, best players

Desmond Ridder can be a first-round pick with a second New Year’s Six bowl

There were several players who could potentially be the best player out of the Group of Five, but it is just so hard to diminish what Desmond Ridder has done under center and what he will continue do under center for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Ridder came onto the scene last year, as he helped navigate Cincinnati to a New Year’s Six bowl and came this close to pulling off a perfect season.

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Ridder has the chance to be a first-round pick if all goes well for him during his senior season in Cincinnati. He is coming off a breakout season where he completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 2,296 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10 games. He also had 98 carries for 592 rushing yards and 12 trips to pay dirt during his amazing junior season.

Though his teammate in defensive back Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Liberty quarterback Grayson McCall and Liberty quarterback Malik Willis could challenge Ridder for the top player in the Group of Five, this is his designation to lose. While someone could emerge like Zaven Collins did last year for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane defensively, Ridder is the guy who will be taking Cincinnati places.

If you are not fired up just yet for some Group of Five football, I do not know what to even tell you.

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