Jerry Rice Award Finalist Brennan Ridley to enter transfer portal
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
A successful high school career on the gridiron with Trinity Episcopal (Richmond, VA) turned into a standout true freshman season with Hampton for Brennan Ridley. As the Pirates ended the month of October with a 5-3 record, finalists for the Jerry Rice Award were announced. The honor given to the top freshman performer in the Football Championship Series classification included Ridley (5-11, 185) on the midseason list. With a standout season under his belt, Ridley will enter the transfer portal on Dec. 9.
Ridley jumped on FCS competition securing 50 passes for 596 yards scoring four touchdowns.
“It was a great season in my opinion,” Ridley said. “It was a great experience; I got on the field at such a young age. I was blessed to not have any injuries.”
The scheme that broke him out was explained, “Hampton runs a dual quarterback system; we play with two quarterbacks. We are a run-heavy offense, but we take shots and do a lot of screens. I took advantage of those opportunities.”
2024 Jerry Rice Award Finalist Brennan Ridley.
Ridley continued covering the routes executed in the offense, “I was running RPO (run-pass option) posts, deep posts, bubble screens, quick game – quick outs, and things like that.”
Asked what made his true freshman season so successful, Ridley replied, “I’d say my football IQ. I feel my football IQ is higher than most. I have been a student of the game for most of my life. I took the time to learn the X’s and O’s so when I got the chance it was nothing new to me. It is the same game, I feel that I know it very well.”
Ridley added, “I am very quick, and I have great hands. I also feel that I have good speed and I can make people miss after the catch as well.”
Posting his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Sunday afternoon, interest is already building in Ridley’s recruitment.
“I have some ACC and American Conference schools showing interest in me already,” Ridley stated. “A lot of schools have already started following me.”
When the next landing spot is selected, Ridley knows what he’s looking for in that program.
“I am looking for a program to develop me as a player and as a person,” Ridley shared. “I am looking for someone to give me a shot to keep showcasing my abilities.”
Photo credits: Ridley family