5 college players that Steelers fans need to watch in 2021
![ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on from the sideline during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats looks on from the sideline during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fstillcurtain-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1294302555-850x560-e7ea9c6804515e995c58cb1f9d769173c41c450eb0df7a743080dd4953a7ee25.jpg)
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Desmond Ridder is coming off a big season with the Cincinnati Bearcats. He was able to help lead them to the Peach Bowl, where they lost by three points. That is still a huge accomplishment for a smaller program to go toe-to-toe with a big SEC school, and Ridder was a leading force with this team heading in a positive direction.
Ridder has had a solid career with some inconsistencies but last season showed his potential in the future. The Steelers need to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger when he retires and now might be the time. It is rumored to be his last go-around and Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins are clearly not the answer.
This prospect is still going to have a lot to prove throughout this season and leading to the draft. He has both a strong arm and extreme mobility, which are great assets to an NFL offense. Speed and dual-threat action are what many teams demand from young quarterbacks coming into the league. The pocket-passer has become a dying breed so Ridder will have an opportunity to become a starter at the next level.
Ridder seems to be a day two option now for most teams but he could become a first-round talent if he can build off of last season and grow his stats show more consistency with his throwing. If he can do that, then this will be a great prospect to pay attention to when the black and gold hand in their selection card on draft night.
Trending. 6 Steelers whose stock plummeted after abysmal loss to Panthers. light
The Steelers will have a lot of holes to fill in the 2022 NFL Draft. Some of these players could be potential draft selections when that time comes in late April.