Calvin Ridley is considering one of the best wide receivers in Alabama history. The Coconut Creek (Fla.) native sits near the top of several career and single-season records, which includes:
- Career receptions: No. 2 (224)
- Single season receptions: No. 2 (89)
- Career receiving yards: No. 3 (2,781)
- Single season receiving yards: No. 5 (1,045)
- Career receiving TDs: No. 5 (19)
Those numbers put Ridley in a pretty elite group, which includes Amari Cooper, Julio Jones and several other high-profile Alabama receivers. But it’s also strange to think that it almost didn’t happen.
The video below is from actually from an interview between Ridley and Campus Lore, and it occurred in June of 2018. But after watching the former Crimson Tide standout’s response, we had to do a story on it!
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It’s hard to believe that the Ridley-Alabama marriage almost didn’t come to fruition, but fans have to be thrilled with how things turned out. It also speaks volumes for the Crimson Tide’s ability to recruit high-profile, especially once they are on campus.
To have a player of Ridley’s caliber — he was rated as a five-star prospect, according to the 247Sports composite rankings — willing to commit on the spot is an incredible story.
With Alabama more than likely losing a least two of its top three receivers, depending on who decides to leave early for the NFL draft between Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith, following the 2019 season, the coaching staff needs to be identifying that next elite receiver to pair with Jaylen Waddle for 2020.
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