Desmond Ridder Bio
Desmond Kelly Ridder is an American professional football quarterback who plays in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 31, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ridder played college football at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned two American Athletic Conference (AAC) Offensive Player of the Year awards. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has continued his career with several teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 215 pounds, Ridder is known for his dual-threat ability as both a passer and a runner. After beginning his NFL career in Atlanta, he has moved between rosters as a backup and spot starter, demonstrating durability and a willingness to compete for playing time across the league.
Early Life and Background
Desmond Kelly Ridder was born on August 31, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky, to a fifteen-year-old mother and was raised primarily by his mother and grandmother. Growing up in Louisville, he attended Holy Family Parochial School before moving on to St. Xavier High School, a well-known program in the region. His early home life shaped his work ethic and toughness, traits that would later become central to his identity as a quarterback.
At St. Xavier, Ridder developed into a versatile athlete who contributed in multiple ways. As a senior, he passed for 1,319 yards and nine touchdowns while also leading the Tigers in rushing with 668 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning All-Metro recognition. Recruited as a modest prospect, he was rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and a three-star recruit by 247Sports, but his high school production and leadership earned him an opportunity at the college level.
Ridder received his scholarship offer from Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville following a tryout held on the morning of the Kentucky Oaks for offensive coordinator Zac Taylor during his junior year. After Tuberville resigned, new coach Luke Fickell honored the offer, and Ridder signed his National Letter of Intent with the Bearcats.
Path to American Football
Ridder’s path to American Football began in Louisville, where his dual-threat skill set quickly caught the attention of college programs despite his modest recruiting ranking. His commitment to Cincinnati provided a stage to develop his arm talent and running ability under Luke Fickell’s staff. The Bearcats offered him an opportunity to grow within a structured program that valued both physical and mental toughness.
He redshirted his true freshman season in 2017, learning the playbook and adjusting to the speed of the college game. The following year, as a redshirt freshman, Ridder was named Cincinnati’s starting quarterback and immediately made an impact, throwing for 2,445 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 583 yards and five touchdowns. That performance earned him AAC Rookie of the Year honors, signaling his arrival as a rising talent.
As he continued into his sophomore and junior seasons, Ridder refined his mechanics, decision-making, and leadership, posting strong numbers through the air and on the ground. His development at Cincinnati transformed him from a lightly recruited high schooler into one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history.
Desmond Ridder Career
College Career (2017–2021)
Ridder’s college career at Cincinnati spanned five seasons, during which he became the face of one of the most successful eras in program history. After redshirting in 2017, he took over as the starting quarterback in 2018 and earned AAC Rookie of the Year honors. In 2019, he completed 179 of 325 passes for 2,164 yards and 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions, adding 650 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
His breakout came in 2020, when he passed for 2,296 yards and 19 touchdowns in only nine games due to the COVID-19-shortened season, while rushing for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns. That year, he was named AAC Offensive Player of the Year for the first time, earned Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week, and was selected AAC Championship Game MVP. Following the 2020 season, he considered declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft but chose to return for his redshirt senior year.
In 2021, Ridder led Cincinnati to an unbeaten 12-0 season and a victory in the AAC Championship Game, becoming the first Group of Five team to reach the College Football Playoff. He threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for six more, completing his college career as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Cincinnati history. He was named AAC Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and finished as a two-time first-team All-AAC selection.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–2023)
Desmond Kelly Ridder was selected in the third round (74th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, considered a surprise fall after many analysts projected him as a first-round pick. He was the second quarterback selected in the draft, following Kenny Pickett. In training camp, Ridder competed for the starting job with veteran Marcus Mariota, and head coach Arthur Smith named Mariota the Week 1 starter.
Ridder made his NFL debut in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints, posting 97 passing yards and 38 rushing yards. In Week 17, he earned his first career NFL win against the Arizona Cardinals, and in Week 18, he threw two touchdowns in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his rookie season with 708 passing yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 64 rushing yards.
Entering 2023, Ridder was named Atlanta’s starting quarterback by Arthur Smith. He started the season as the primary option but was benched in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans after a slow start. He regained the starting role later in the year and finished the 2023 season with 2,836 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 193 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns. Despite the up-and-down year, his mobility and poise remained defining traits of his game.
Arizona Cardinals (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, one day after the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins. He competed for the backup quarterback role during training camp but was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27. The following day, he was re-signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad, where he waited for a new opportunity.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
On October 21, 2024, Ridder was signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad to the Las Vegas Raiders after Aidan O’Connell was placed on injured reserve. He served as the backup to Gardner Minshew and saw action in relief against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 11 of 16 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. After Minshew suffered a season-ending collarbone injury, Ridder took on a larger role, including a Week 15 start against his former Falcons team. He was waived by the Raiders before the 2025 season as part of roster moves.
Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings (2025)
On July 20, 2025, Ridder was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of training camp, but he was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. On September 16, 2025, the Minnesota Vikings signed him following an injury to J. J. McCarthy, though he was waived on October 4. He was re-signed to the Vikings’ practice squad on November 27 after McCarthy entered concussion protocol, then released again on December 2, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ridder’s playing style is defined by his dual-threat ability as both a passer and a runner. He has the arm strength to make throws across the field and the mobility to extend plays with his legs, allowing him to convert third downs and pressure defenses in the red zone. His toughness and willingness to compete have made him a reliable backup and short-term starter across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ridder’s most significant milestones are leading Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff in 2021, earning two AAC Offensive Player of the Year awards, and posting the fastest 40-yard dash time among quarterbacks at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. His first NFL win came in Week 17 of his rookie season against the Arizona Cardinals, a defining moment in his professional career.
Desmond Ridder Career Wins
Desmond Kelly Ridder has earned wins at both the collegiate and professional levels, with his most prominent victory coming as a starter for the Cincinnati Bearcats during their 2021 undefeated season. In the NFL, his first career win came as a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, a milestone that launched his professional career.
Cincinnati Bearcats Highlights
Ridder’s college career included several signature wins, including leading Cincinnati to a 35-20 victory over the Houston Cougars in the 2021 AAC Championship Game, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. He was also named MVP of the 2020 Birmingham Bowl after a dominant performance against Boston College, rushing for three touchdowns and passing for another.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NFL, Ridder’s most notable regular-season win came in Week 18 of his rookie year, when he threw two touchdowns in a 30-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings, he has shown the ability to step in as a reliable backup and short-term starter, contributing to team success when called upon.
Desmond Ridder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Desmond Kelly Ridder was raised primarily by his mother and grandmother in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother had him at a young age, which shaped the close family dynamic that supported his athletic development. While his family did not have a deep football lineage, their encouragement and presence played a central role in his rise to the professional level.
Personal Life
Ridder married his high school sweetheart, Claire Cornett, on July 15, 2022, and the couple has two children. Family has remained a consistent anchor for Ridder as he has navigated roster moves across multiple NFL teams. His commitment to balancing fatherhood and professional football has been a hallmark of his personal life.
2025 Season Performance
Desmond Kelly Ridder’s 2025 season has been marked by movement between several NFL rosters, beginning with a signing by the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of training camp. After being waived by the Bengals on August 26, he joined the Minnesota Vikings on September 16 following an injury to J. J. McCarthy. His time in Minnesota showed the value teams continue to place on his experience and dual-threat skill set.
Although he was waived by the Vikings on October 4, Ridder was re-signed to the practice squad on November 27 after McCarthy entered concussion protocol, then released again on December 2. These quick transitions reflect the journeyman nature of his 2025 campaign, but they also show that he remains an in-demand backup quarterback capable of stepping into a game on short notice.
Looking ahead, Ridder’s experience and athleticism make him a strong candidate to sign with another team in need of quarterback depth. His track record of professionalism, combined with his dual-threat ability, ensures that he will continue to draw interest across the league for the remainder of 2025 and into the 2026 offseason.