Cowboys draftee John Ridgeway ready to ‘break someone’s neck’ in NFL

Dallas Cowboys VP of player personnel, Will McClay, recently revealed the team was looking to add “big, athletic players” to the roster with physicality and an aggressive temperament. That certainly seemed to be a common theme amongst the Cowboys’ 2022 NFL draft haul. One player that fits that bill is the team’s 178th overall pick: Arkansas DT John Ridgeway.

The fifth-rounder is 6-6, 320 pounds, and ready to take on the NFL. As a former state wrestling champion, the Illinois State prospect proved himself to be a huge defensive threat. From there, he got offers in the transfer portal from several major universities. He landed at the Universtity of Arkansas where his animalistic style of play was celebrated and applauded. So much so, that it earned him the nickname “Vanilla Gorilla.”

Ridgeway recently retweeted a photo with merchandise with that nickname for those who wanted to support him as he enters the NFL. It seems that the Arkansas product plans to continue that aggressive style of play in the NFL.

When speaking to the Cowboys’ “The Draft Show,” he told the hosts that what they’ve seen in his college film is just the beginning. Ridgeway is ready to turn it up a notch and be the type of player McClay wants for this roster:

"“You thought I played with an edge then…just wait until I get in the league. I’m going to try to break someone’s neck when I get out there. If I can’t, I’m just going to tackle someone really hard and try to make a big play, make the crowd go crazy.”"

Cowboys draftee John Ridgeway talked about his aggressive play style and said he’s ready to “break someone’s neck” in the NFL

If big, mauler-type players is what the Cowboys were looking for, it sounds like that’s exactly what they’ve got with Ridgeway. For some prospects, their confidence slowly grows as they get their feet under them or they are more shy off-the-field than they are on the field. This certainly doesn’t seem to be the case with the “Vanilla Gorilla.” He spoke candidly and confidently to Dallas reporters about what he will bring in the NFL:

"“I don’t plan on getting in the backseat in the NFL. I plan on getting in that driver’s seat and taking off. I know what I’m capable of. I know there’s a lot of people out there who like to talk about the negative aspects of my game, but I just try to focus on what I can control. That’s tackling people, you know? Making plays; that’s what I want to do. I’d rather that speak than me go out on the internet or Twitter and start talking crap.”"

The focus and determination is impressive. With rookie minicamp starting this weekend, it will be very interesting to see how Ridgeway performs amongst the new additions.