Early Life & Background

John Ridgeway III was born and raised in Bloomington, a city in central Illinois known for its collegiate athletics and tight-knit community. The son of John Ridgeway Jr. and Lisa Ridgeway (née Carter), he grew up in a household that valued discipline, education, and competitive achievement. His father, a former high school athlete in Bloomington, instilled in him an early appreciation for football, while his mother balanced the household with an emphasis on academic responsibility. Ridgeway III has at least one sibling, as public records indicate a younger sister, though details about her have not been widely shared.

From an early age, Ridgeway demonstrated natural strength and athleticism, traits that set him apart in youth leagues. By middle school, he was already training with weights and developing a physical presence on the field. His upbringing in Bloomington, home to Illinois State University, provided him with exposure to organized sports, but it was football that captured his focus. Neighbors and local coaches often remarked on his mature demeanor and quiet intensity, a combination that suggested a player who led not only through effort but through example.

High School Career

John Ridgeway III attended Normal Community High School in Normal, Illinois, approximately 130 miles from Chicago. He played both offensive and defensive line during his high school tenure, showcasing versatility that would later become a hallmark of his collegiate and professional development. At 6'5" and weighing around 280 pounds as a junior, he possessed the build and leverage of a dominant interior presence. Despite limited high school statistics being publicly documented, local scouting reports from the 2010s described him as a physically imposing lineman with improving technique.

Ridgeway earned All-Mid-State Conference honors during his senior year, a testament to his growing impact on the field. He was particularly praised for his ability to anchor against double teams and control the line of scrimmage, a skill that drew the attention of college recruiters. His work ethic in the weight room and commitment to film study distinguished him from peers, and he was known to arrive early for practices to refine his pass-rush moves and run fits.

Coaches at Normal Community noted his leadership qualities, describing him as a quiet but steady influence in the locker room. While he did not receive widespread national attention from recruiting services, he generated interest from FCS-level programs and eventually secured a scholarship opportunity out of state—an uncommon path for a player from a program not traditionally producing NFL prospects.

College Career

College information not available in public records.

NFL Draft

John Ridgeway III declared for the 2022 NFL Draft after completing his collegiate eligibility. Despite the lack of available public information about his college career, he was invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, where he tested exceptionally well for a defensive tackle of his size. At the combine, he recorded a 4.98-second 40-yard dash, a 9.23 broad jump, and a 30-inch vertical leap—measurements that were decidedly above average for an interior lineman and indicative of rare athleticism.

His performance at the Senior Bowl further solidified his draft stock. Playing in Mobile, Alabama, Ridgeway consistently defeated blockers with a combination of strength and quickness, finishing with two sacks and multiple tackles for loss during practice sessions. Scouts noted his surprising burst off the snap and his ability to bend around the edge, attributes typically reserved for smaller, more athletic edge rushers.

The New Orleans Saints selected Ridgeway in the fifth round (178th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, a selection widely regarded as a value pick. General Manager Mickey Loomis emphasized the Saints’ need for interior pressure and youth along the defensive line in a post-Cameron Jordan era. Analysts praised the pick for its blend of upside and affordable contract, with most rookie contracts for fifth-round picks falling within the range of $3–4 million over four years.

Professional Career

John Ridgeway III has not played in an official NFL regular season or postseason game as of the 2023 season. His rookie year (2022) was spent on the Saints' active roster but largely as a developmental piece behind veterans like Jordan, Malcolm Roach, and Payton Turner. He was active for two games but did not record any statistics, logging only special teams snaps.

During the 2023 offseason, Ridgeway underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to address a pre-existing condition, a precautionary measure that kept him out of organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. He was cleared to participate in training camp and participated in all preseason contests, showing early flashes of potential. In the final preseason game against the Houston Texans, he recorded two quarterback pressures and a defended pass, drawing positive reviews from coaches.

Head Coach Dennis Allen described Ridgeway as a "project player with high-upside athleticism" during training camp, emphasizing that his development would be gradual. The Saints continued to prioritize veteran stability along the defensive line, inserting veterans like Bryan Bresee and Israel Jackson in key rotational roles, leaving Ridgeway in a developmental role for 2023.

Despite limited game action, Ridgeway has remained active on the practice squad during the regular season, allowing him to refine his skills and learn the defensive system. His coaches have praised his football IQ and willingness to accept a reduced role while preparing for an expanded opportunity in 2024. With aging veterans on the defensive line and younger players like Bresee ahead of him, Ridgeway finds himself at a critical inflection point in his career.

Playing Style & Strengths

John Ridgeway III is a disruptive interior presence whose skill set blends power and athleticism in a way that aligns with modern NFL defensive demands. Standing at 6'5" and 321 pounds, he possesses elite size-to-length ratio, allowing him to overpower blockers in space and redirect offensive linemen. His hand placement is an area of focus—scouts note that while he has the strength to latch onto blockers, he sometimes struggles to shed them cleanly upon contact.

A key strength is his initial quickness off the snap. His combine performance revealed rare lateral agility for a player of his mass, enabling him to penetrate rushing lanes and generate interior pressure. Unlike traditional nose tackles, Ridgeway shows the ability to bend around guards and close gaps in the pocket, a trait that suggests he could develop into a three-down interior disruptor if his technique improves. He is particularly effective in games against zone blocking schemes, where his lateral footwork allows him to work through wash and disrupt timing.

In pass rush, Ridgeway uses a combination of swim moves and quick inside counters to beat double teams. While he does not possess elite hand speed, he compensates with suddenness and leverage—often using his long arms to slap away blockers’ hands and create separation. He generates natural leverage due to his height, enabling him to stack and shed taller blockers with relative ease.

On early-down runs, Ridgeway is a reliable anchor, using his lower-body strength to collapse the pocket and limit rushing lanes. He is not a traditional "two-gap" nose tackle in the mold of a Dan Wilkinson or Ted Washington, as he prefers to attack upfield with one-gap principles. However, he shows the anchor strength to control blocker-leveraged space when needed.

His athleticism allows him to play with leverage against athletic guards, a growing necessity in the NFL where guards are often as strong as centers. That said, he remains a developing player in terms of consistency—reportedly working with Saints defensive line coach Kwan Howerton to refine his pass-rush repertoire and block-shedding mechanics.

In coverage and against the run, Ridgeway’s size and length give him an advantage in contested situations. He has flashed the ability to drop into short zones to disrupt passing lanes on play-action, though this remains an evolving aspect of his game. His pursuit speed, while not elite, is functional, and his instincts are improving with game repetitions.

Personal Life

John Ridgeway III maintains a private personal life, sharing little about his activities off the field. He is active on social media, primarily Instagram, where he posts training updates, family photos, and motivational content. His public posts emphasize discipline, faith, and gratitude, with frequent references to his faith and family support system. The account has grown steadily since the NFL Draft, with followers appreciating his humble approach to the game.

Off the field, Ridgeway is known to be deeply involved in his community, though specific initiatives are not widely publicized. In 2022, he partnered with a local Bloomington boys’ football camp to provide equipment and coaching, reflecting a commitment to giving back in his hometown. He teamed up with former Saints linemen during the offseason to lead skills clinics in Louisiana, focusing on technique and conditioning for youth athletes.

Ridgeway is described by teammates as a quiet leader—respected for his work ethic and professionalism. He avoids controversy and maintains a low public profile, preferring to let his performance on the field speak for itself. He has not been involved in any public disputes or off-field incidents.

He is represented by NFL agent Mike McCartney of Athletes First, a firm known for representing late-round developmental prospects. Ridgeway’s contract negotiations were reportedly straightforward, with standard rookie-scale terms and minimal incentives attached—signaling confidence from the Saints in his long-term potential rather than immediate contribution.

Legacy & Future Outlook

As of the 2024 offseason, John Ridgeway III stands at a pivotal moment in his NFL career. Selected in the fifth round of the 2022 Draft, he has followed a developmentally typical path—minimal regular-season snaps, time on the practice squad, and gradual progression in a competitive roster environment. His trajectory, however, distinguishes him from many similar prospects due to his physical tools and measurable athleticism.

In the Saints’ defensive rebuild, Ridgeway represents a high-upside project. With the team transitioning out of its veteran era and into a younger, more athletic defensive front, his role could expand significantly. The retirement of Cameron Jordan in 2024 creates a void at defensive end, and the potential departure of other key linemen (such as Malcolm Roach) could open rotational opportunities for Ridgeway.

If he can refine his pass-rush arsenal—a combination of power, bend, and counter moves—he has the physical profile of a future three-down interior disruptor. The NFL’s evolution toward athletic interior linemen capable of rushing the passer and stopping the run makes him well-suited for the modern defensive scheme. His rare combination of size, length, and lateral movement could eventually place him among the league’s top interior pressures if development continues positively.

However, the path is not guaranteed. Ridgeway must improve in consistency, leverage, and block-shedding efficiency—areas where veteran linemen have exposed him in practice. His 2024 training camp and preseason will be crucial. If he earns a rotational role behind Bryan Bresee and incoming defensive tackles, it could accelerate his growth.

Should he fulfill his potential, Ridgeway could become a model for late-round developmental success stories in the NFL—a player who maximizes his physical gifts through relentless film study and work ethic, reminiscent of players like Javon Hargrave in his early years.

For now, John Ridgeway III remains an intriguing but unproven piece of the Saints’ defensive future. His journey from Bloomington to the NFL reflects not just athletic talent, but perseverance in a system that often overlooks late-round selections. As the Saints rebuild, he has the opportunity to carve out a significant role—one that could define the next chapter of his professional legacy.