WR Dante Ridgeway | Rams Head Coach Mike Martz | Draft Section | Message Board

OVERVIEW

Dante Ridgeway
Position:  Wide Receiver
College:  Ball State
Height: 5-11
Weight: 212
Hometown: Decatur, Ill.

Winner of Ball State's John Magnabosco Award as the team's most valuable player, Ridgeway currently ranks first among active NCAA Division I-A players in career receiving yards per game (86.6) plus is second in career catches per game (6.9), fourth in career catches (238), sixth in career receiving yards (3,030) and tied for ninth in career touchdowns (22).

Ridgeway played in every game as a reserve receiver in 2002, catching 44 passes for 556 yards (12.6 avg) and four touchdowns. The 2003 season would garner him national attention, as he became only the second player in school history to gain over 1,000 yards receiving in a season. He grabbed 89 passes for 1,075 yards (12.1 avg) and 10 touchdowns, topping the previous school single-season records of 67 catches by Mike Leuck in 1983 and 1,065 yards by Dave Naumcheff in 1983. His 10 touchdowns equaled a Ball State record that was first set by Brian Oliver in 1993.

Few expected Ridgeway to match his 2003 totals the following year, and they were right -- he surpassed them. Ridgeway led the nation in every receiving category as he hauled in 105 passes for 1,399 yards (13.3 avg) and eight touchdowns. His 105 receptions set a Mid-American Conference season record. He also became the only player in school history to gain over 1,000 yards receiving more than once in a career.

Ridgeway completed his senior season as one of three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation's top collegiate wide receiver, plus was one of only two Mid-American Conference players named to the prestigious Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American second-team in 2004. He is only the second Ball State player ever to be honored by the Walter Camp Foundation, which began selecting its All-American teams in 1889, joining punter Brad Maynard (1995-96).

In 35 games, Ridgeway set school career-records with 238 catches for 3,030 yards (12.7 avg) and 22 touchdowns, surpassing the previous marks of 146 receptions for 2,256 yards by Deon Chester (1984-87). His 22 scoring grabs are topped only by Brian Oliver's 24 (1991-94) on the Cardinals' all-time record list. His 10 games of gaining at least 100 yards receiving broke the old school record of seven set by Oliver. He also gained 31 yards on six punt returns, 61 yards on five kickoff returns and scored once on a rushing attempt. 

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a good frame with thick muscle development, tight waist, good hamstring and bubble and straight calves … Not sudden, but is smooth and efficient in his release off the line of scrimmage … Has some strength to power through the jam and adequate quickness to elude … Sharp and efficient cutting in the open and can separate on short and intermediate routes … Knows where the sticks are and can read coverages well … Lacks good vertical speed, but is quick into and out of his breaks … Good hands catcher who can snatch and adjust to the off-target passes … Shows good body coordination tracking the ball in over his shoulder … Despite some upper-body stiffness, he is a strong runner who can power through press coverage or arm tackles. 

AGILITY TESTS

4.57 in the 40-yard dash … 2.66 20-yard dash … 1.60 10-yard dash … 4.39 20-yard shuttle … 11.60 60-yard shuttle … 7.25 three-cone drill … 33-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-9 broad jump … 30-inch arm length … 8½-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Douglas MacArthur (Decatur, Ill.) High School, lettering four times in football for coach Cordell Ingram … All-Big 12 Conference and all-county pick as a senior, adding honorable mention on the all-state team … Helped the team to an 8-3 mark and was named the team's Most Valuable Offensive and Defensive Player as a senior … Tallied 32 catches for 570 yards with nine touchdowns as a senior; also returned three punts for scores … Had 1,300 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns during his career.

PERSONAL

Criminal Justice major … Son of Dene Ridgeway … Born Dante DeAndre Ridgeway on April 18, 1984, in Chicago … Resides in Decatur, Ill.

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