Arkansas knew it needed to get some size and experience to augment its defensive line and that’s what happened via the transfer route.
The Razorbacks added former Missouri players Tre Smith (6-5, 255 pounds) and Markell Utsey (6-4, 295), as well as former Illinois State star John Ridgeway (6-6, 320).
Ridgeway, who has two years of eligibility to use if he chooses, made the jump from the Redbirds of the Football Championship Subdivision, where he played from 2017-21.
"I feel like it was a great opportunity to play in the SEC," Ridgeway said. "The best talent at the next level comes out of the SEC, so I figured why not go against them. It was also an opportunity for me to get looked at going at a higher level.
“Also, being able to play more than one position so I can be more versatile. When I get to the next level, hopefully they can see me instead of just a nose guard, more as a nose tackle. I can play on special teams, as well."
Ridgeway had never been to Arkansas, but loaded up his girlfriend, his dog and his parents to check it out.
“It was a dead period so I couldn’t go on any (official) visits like that, but I kind of just had my top three teams I was looking at, and Arkansas was only an eight-hour drive,” Ridgeway said.
“So I took the drive and I loved the atmosphere, went around campus and took my girlfriend and the dog...to see everything. The parents loved it. I loved it. So I said, 'Why not? Why not go to Arkansas?’”
When asked to disclose the other two schools he considered, Ridgeway showed a sense of humor.
“The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers,” Ridgeway said.
It is known he also had offers Texas, Tennessee, Penn State, Southern Cal, Michigan, Iowa, Arizona State and Indiana.
Ridgeway played in the spring of 2020 and had a team-high 22 tackles. He also pulled down an interception and recorded three quarterback hurries in four games.
He admits there has been a big transition.
"The speed of the game for sure," Ridgeway said. "The offensive linemen are a lot bigger and a lot more agile, faster. My technique was lacking at my old school. I was able to get by with it. Here, I have to battle every snap.
"I've got to earn it. It's not going to be given to me like the last school I played at. It definitely helped me get better every day. I'm still learning and I just can't wait to get better every day when I step on the field."
Ridgeway had 50 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups and forced 1 fumble in 15 games at Illinois State.
He admitted he didn’t put in the effort academically to be eligible out of high school.
“Coming out of high school, I really just kind of slacked and really didn’t pay much attention,” Ridgeway said. “I took away my chances of getting recruited, but ISU took a leap of faith with me and I ended up making my eligibility to play college football.
“I went there and played pretty well and then when I got in the portal, they treated me like I was a 5-star (recruit) and my phone was blowing up every single second of the day. People were calling me at 10:30 and 11 o’clock at night.
“It was definitely nice and a fun experience. I wish I had experienced at a younger age, but I liked it a lot, for sure.”
Ridgeway is a former high school wrestler, who has used some of those moves on the gridiron.
“I kind of got in trouble a couple of times for doing it, but I can definitely feel different pressures in my body and I then rotate my hands and shoulders and press back into them," he said. "Definitely wrestling helps out a lot and having that background, too.”
Ridgeway has watched tape on former Arkansas defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall, now with the NFL’s New York Jets. He is vying to replace Marshall this season.
“I watched him a lot and seeing he way he played, I feel like I do the same thing,” Ridgeway said. “I feel like my game can transition here just like his did."
Ridgeway started camp working with the third team, but has spent time with the first- and second-team defenses lately.
“I know they will put me in the best position to succeed, whether it be running with the twos, the ones or the threes,” Ridgeway said. “I know I am going to get better wherever they put me.
“I have also learned from a lot of guys here that know the defense better than me because they have been around. You have to learn off of them so you just have to sit back and watch them do the plays, and teach myself to do the same thing they are doing that will benefit me in the same position.
“It has helped me a lot to rotate in with the ones, twos and threes and learn a lot from the upperclassmen.”