When Cincinnati became the first AAC team to qualify for the College Football Playoff last December, one could only assume the success of the Bearcats’ 2021 campaign would reverberate again in April at the 2022 NFL Draft.
Desmond Ridder was selected 74th overall in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons. He was the fourth Bearcat off the board, following cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, wide receiver Alec Pierce, and safety Bryan Cook.
Ridder is the second quarterback off the board, following reigning Pitt sensation and ACC Player of the Year Kenny Pickett, who went 20th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.