The Atlanta Falcons have their future quarterback after Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder dropped to their second selection during Friday's draft. Ridder had a very successful career as a Bearcat as he led them to the College Football Playoff - the first time a Group of Five has achieved that feat. His head coach, Luke Fickell, joined Ready or Mott to discuss what the Falcons are getting in Ridder, and how they got a fantastic competitor that will win this locker room over.
Fickell spoke highly of former quarterback when asked what the Falcons are getting "You've got a competitor, you've got a leader, and you've got an incredible teammate," he said. "What he had done for our program, what he had done for our locker room far outweighs what he had done on the football field."
The success on the football field was pretty great, too. Ridder piled up the awards as he won the AAC Offensive Player of the Year in both 2020 and 2021, set school records for passing touchdowns (87) and yards of total offense (12,418). The Bearcats were winners with him at the helm. His squad compiled a 43-6 record in his four years - with the aforementioned College Football Playoff berth after a 13-1 final year. That final season saw him put complete 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,334 yards, and 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
There are some questions about his accuracy and frame, but he will have time to develop. Ridder will have the luxury of a patient organization as the Falcons are looking to continue re-shaping their roster. He will figure to take the secondary snaps behind first-year Falcon Marcus Mariota.
"He's such a competitor, but he does it in a healthy way within a locker room," Fickell said. "He's got the exact attitude that a coach would want, He'll walk in there, respect the heck out of Marcus Mariota, and all those guys around him. He'll go to work, do his job, keep his mouth shut, and win people over with his ability to be a pro."
Arthur Smith has been on record saying that there will always be open competitions for every position and Ridder will get his shot here soon. He was a winner in the college ranks, and the Falcons will be hoping that translates to the professional level. Luke Fickell sure thinks it will.