RidgeWilson

Took over the new hybrid linebacker/defensive end position in the spring and adapted well … Hopes to continue the progress he showed late last season when he emerged as the lead performer at strongside linebacker … Talented linebacker with excellent athleticism … Earned playing time as a true freshman, mostly on special teams … Has played in 24 games with two starts.

2010 (Sophomore): Had 30 tackles, including three tackles for loss … Finished season strong, with 19 of his 30 tackles and all three of his TFL coming in the final three games of the season … First start of his career against Tennessee as he recorded three tackles … Also started the BBVA Compass Bowl vs. Pittsburgh and tied his career high with six stops … Best game of his career against Vanderbilt, posting a career-high six tackles with two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups … Had his first interception of his career vs. Florida … Recovered a fumble at a crucial point in the fourth quarter vs. Louisville that put UK in the driver’s seat to take the victory.

2009 (Freshman): Participated in 11 games … Credited with one tackle.

High School: First-team all-state as picked by The Associated Press and Louisville Courier-Journal … Also named to the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” listing of the top-22 seniors in the state … Versatile athlete could end up at several positions on the football field … Played linebacker primarily in high school, but also saw time at defensive end, strong safety and as a wide receiver on offense … Helped lead Central High School of Louisville to back-to-back Class AAA championships as a junior and senior … Totaled 76 tackles as a senior, including 12 for loss, and had three interceptions … Made nine tackles, including two for loss, and caused a fumble in the 2008 state title tilt … District Most Valuable Player as a senior … Four-year starter … All-district and all-region honoree … Coached by Ty Scroggins, who has captured the state championship in his first two seasons at the school … “In addition to his ability as a player, Ridge has great character and the ability to communicate,” Scroggins said … One of the nation’s top-75 linebackers by Rivals.com … The No. 8 prospect in Kentucky by Rivals and SuperPrep … Has been timed as fast as 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash … An outstanding student who was recruited by Ivy League schools … Excelled in basketball, helping take Central to the Kentucky Sweet 16 state tournament in 2008 and the state finals in 2009 … Was named to the ’09 all-state tournament team and received the Larry Conley Ultimate Teammate Award at the state tourney … McDonald’s All-America nominee … An all-region and all-district selection … Played in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Games in the summer following his senior year … Honor-roll student and a member of the “100 Black Men” honorary organization.

Personal: Born in Louisville, Ky. … Son of Anita Wilson … An uncle, Rick Wilson, played basketball at the University of Louisville and for the NBA Atlanta Hawks … An uncle, Raymond, and an aunt, Debbie, also played college basketball … Major is finance.

Ridge says … The coolest thing about being at UK is: the fans … The one thing I like most about football is: the networking it brings … Something people might not know about me is: I’m a good skater … What I like about Coach Phillips is: his humor … If I weren’t playing football, I would be: working and going to school.