The New Orleans Saints announced they have acquired defensive tackle John Ridgeway III in a trade with the Washington Commanders. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:
1. Ridgeway played with the Washington Commanders for the last two seasons, appearing in 32 games (six starts). He tallied 55 tackles (25 solo), two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
2. The 6'5, 321 lbs. defensive tackle was drafted fifth round (178th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys out of the University of Arkansas. Ridgeway was waived by the Cowboys ahead of Week 2 of the 2022 season, but would be claimed on waivers by the Commanders.
3. Ridgeway finished his collegiate career with the Razorbacks. In 2021, he played in 12 games (11 starts) only missing one game on the season due to an appendectomy. He finished the season with 39 tackles (11 solo) and two sacks.
4. Ridgeway played for Illinois State prior to Arkansas where over three seasons he played in 30 games for the Redbirds. He racked up 102 tackles (51 solo), one sack, one interception, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
5. Ridgeway attended Bloomington High School in Bloomington, Illinois where he played offensive and defensive line. He also was a four-year letter-winner in wrestling culminating with a victory as the 2017 Illinois State Champion in his senior year.
New Orleans Saints announced they have traded for defensive tackle John Ridgeway III. Check out John Ridgeway III in action with the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys during his NFL career along with shot from the NFL Combine, Reese's Senior Bowl, and collegiate career with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (91) runs with the football during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (91) runs onto the field before an NFL pre-season football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (91)runs onto the field before an NFL pre-season football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (91) does drills during a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway III, right, performs a drill during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility in Ashburn, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway (91) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway stands on the field during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway (91) attempts to block a field goal during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Seattle. The Seahawks won 29-26. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway (91) warms up before playing in an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway (91) warms up before playing in an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles away from Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway (91) during the NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of a preseason NFL football game on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle John Ridgeway (91) takes to the field before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle John Ridgeway (95) is seen during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahwaks, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 27-26. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle John Ridgeway (95) walks off the field after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Frisco, Texas, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
American Team defensive lineman John Ridgeway of Arkansas (98) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman John Ridgeway of Arkansas (98) American Team runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive lineman John Ridgeway III of Arkansas runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt (71) blocks Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway (99) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway (99) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway (99) takes a breather on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway (99) tackles Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks (7) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
