Hassan Ridgeway

Ridgeway was 250-pound edge rusher when he arrived in Austin, but developed into a 300-pound interior disruptor. He formed a dynamic duo with Malcolm Brown in 2014 with 11.0 tackles for loss and kept his strong play alive as a junior. Playing mostly one-technique in four-man fronts and outside as a five-technique when coach Charlie Strong went to 3-4 looks, Ridgeway produced 6.3 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2015.

in our view

Ridgeway has an impressive skill-set due to his power, athleticism and instincts, detaching himself from blocks and quickly finding the ball. He stays off the ground and isn't easily moved, keeping interior linemen busy and clogging up the middle, but still needs technique work. Although he moves well for his size and plays with purpose, Ridgeway won't be able to help a club in the tub and needs to stay healthy.

not a rangy player and lacks a large radius of impact. late through congestion and needs to put more thought into his shed and counter moves. hung up by angle blocks and his hand technique is a work in progress. fatigues and play will fall off. needs to translate his talent into more production.

Conditioning was questioned by the Texas coaching staff and needs to better take care of himself. Myriad of minor injuries over his career and was routinely banged up, missing playing time as a junior due to several injuries.

strengths

Proportionate body mass with smooth body control. Powerfully-built and not an easy player to move, cut or get off his feet. Excellent initial momentum to barrel through arm bars and bully his way through the shoulders of blockers. Stacks and releases at the line of scrimmage with ferocious hands use to latch-and-pull. Controls the point of attack and doesn't allow blockers to dictate his path.

very aware player and anticipates play designs due to his backfield vision and football aptitude. versatile experience, seeing snaps at various techniques inside and outside on the defensive line. plays with attitude and genuinely enjoys contact. violent striker and finishes plays that he should.

WEAKNESSES

Coached by Jeff Hulme at Mansfield High School

All-American, all-state, two-time all-area and two-time all-district performer on the defensive line

did not play football until his sophomore year of high school

played in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, tallying one tackle, one TFL, one sack and one forced fumble

ranked as the 20th-best defensive end by ESPNU

a member of the Austin American-Statesman’s Fab 55 (state’s top prospects)

helped Mansfield post a 19-5 record over his final two seasons

named to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Super Team as a senior

a second-team Preseason Super Team selection by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

named honorable mention All-State by the Associated Press

a second-team all-district 5-5A selection

named the DL MVP at the Forth Worth Nike Football Training Camp prior to his senior season

helped lead Mansfield to a 11-2 record and an appearance in the third round of the state playoffs

tallied 57 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery

named second-team All-Area by the Dallas Morning News as a junior

named first-team all-district 5-5A

helped lead Mansfield to a 8-3 record and an appearance in the first round of the state playoffs

recorded 6.5 sacks

also lettered in basketball.

Began playing football at age 14

lived in Rodeo, Calif. For 14 years before moving to Texas

enjoys reading, music and video games

majored in applied learning and development with a minor in social work

member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (fall 2014).