2021 (REDSHIRT SENIOR): Made an immediate impact as a transfer, starting in 11 of 12 games and making 39 total tackles ... Missed the season opener vs. Rice (Sept. 4) due to an appendectomy during game week ... Made his Arkansas debut in win over Texas (Sept. 11) with six tackles, including a sack ... Recorded one TFL as part of a four-tackle performance against Georgia Southern (Sept. 18) ... Set a season-best with seven tackles at No. 1 Georgia (Oct. 2) ... Made four tackles, including a half tackle for loss, in loss to Auburn (Oct. 16) ... Had two tackles in victory over Mississippi State (Nov. 6) ... Notched his second sack of the season to go with three tackles in Battle of the Boot win at LSU (Nov. 13) ... Helped Arkansas claim Battle Line Rivalry trophy with five stops against Missouri (Nov. 26).
PRIOR TO ARKANSAS: Played from 2017-21 at Illinois State … In Illinois State’s 2021 season, which was played in the spring due to COVID-19, tied for the team-lead making 22 tackles and added 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception, one pass broken up and three quarterback hurries over four games … In 2019 was named All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention … started all 15 games at nose guard for the Redbirds, who ranked No. 4 in the country in scoring defense (16.0) and No. 1 in sacks (52) … Totaled 50 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two passes broken up and a forced fumble … Recorded a career-high nine stops against No. 1 North Dakota State … In 2018 was named FCS Freshman All-America by Phil Steele and a MVFC All-Newcomer … Played in all 11 games, making 10 starts at nose guard … Logged 30 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery … Returned a fumble 32 yards in the season finale against Youngstown State … Redshirted in 2017.
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time varsity letterwinner for football under coaches Rigo Schmelzer and Joe Walters … All Big-12 offensive line selection and all-state defensive line selection in 2017 … Four-year letterwinner in wrestling, winning the Illinois state championship title in 2017 after placing fourth at the championships in 2016 … Competed in the shot put and discus during his sophomore and senior years … Named Bloomington High School’s Athlete of the Year in 2017 … Also participated in Bass Fishing as a freshman.
PERSONAL: Full name is John Robert Ridgeway, III … Son of Katie and John Ridgeway, Jr. … Has a younger sister, Grace ... Born May 7, 1999 in Bloomington, Ill. … Intended major is criminal justice.
PRIOR TO ARKANSAS: Played from 2017-21 at Illinois State … In Illinois State’s 2021 season, which was played in the spring due to COVID-19, tied for the team-lead making 22 tackles and added 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception, one pass broken up and three quarterback hurries over four games … In 2019 was named All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention … started all 15 games at nose guard for the Redbirds, who ranked No. 4 in the country in scoring defense (16.0) and No. 1 in sacks (52) … Totaled 50 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two passes broken up and a forced fumble … Recorded a career-high nine stops against No. 1 North Dakota State … In 2018 was named FCS Freshman All-America by Phil Steele and a MVFC All-Newcomer … Played in all 11 games, making 10 starts at nose guard … Logged 30 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery … Returned a fumble 32 yards in the season finale against Youngstown State … Redshirted in 2017.
HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time varsity letterwinner for football under coaches Rigo Schmelzer and Joe Walters … All Big-12 offensive line selection and all-state defensive line selection in 2017 … Four-year letterwinner in wrestling, winning the Illinois state championship title in 2017 after placing fourth at the championships in 2016 … Competed in the shot put and discus during his sophomore and senior years … Named Bloomington High School’s Athlete of the Year in 2017 … Also participated in Bass Fishing as a freshman.
PERSONAL: Full name is John Robert Ridgeway, III … Son of Katie and John Ridgeway, Jr. … Has a younger sister, Grace ... Born May 7, 1999 in Bloomington, Ill. … Intended major is criminal justice.