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Desmond Ridder is a professional American football quarterback known for his collegiate success and progression through multiple NFL teams, transitioning from drafted starter to a strategic backup role.
Desmond Ridder is making waves in Atlanta since joining the Falcons and has also picked up a national tv spot as one of the faces of Door. This campaign highlights his growing public profile following his transition to the NFL.
VaynerSports showcases how Desmond Ridder became a high-profile example of their blueprint for success for young athletes. This partnership highlights how athletes can build their brand.
Desmond Kelly Ridder was born on August 31, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was raised by his mother and grandmother and attended St. Xavier High School, where he excelled in football, passing for 1,319 yards and nine touchdowns and rushing for 668 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. Rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and a three-star by 24/7 Sports, he committed to the University of Cincinnati, with his scholarship offer honored by new coach Luke Fickell.
Ridder redshirted his true freshman season in 2017. He became Cincinnati’s starting quarterback in 2018, earning AAC Rookie of the Year honors by passing for 2,445 yards and 20 touchdowns, and rushing for 583 yards and five touchdowns. His college career continued to flourish, culminating in him being named AAC Offensive Player of the Year twice (2020 and 2021) and leading the Bearcats to an undefeated 12-0 season in 2021. This historic season led to Cincinnati becoming the first Group of Five team to make the college football playoffs. He ended his collegiate career with 10,239 passing yards, 87 passing touchdowns, 2,180 rushing yards, and 28 rushing touchdowns.
Ridder was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round (74th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. After serving as a backup initially, he was named the starting quarterback for the latter part of the 2022 season, securing his first NFL win against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17. In the 2023 season, he started as the Falcons’ quarterback but was later benched and then re-named starter. In 2024, Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals before being waived and signed to their practice squad, and later signed by the Las Vegas Raiders. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025 and subsequently the Minnesota Vikings.
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