Thad Ridgley

Another product of Ambridge High School ... an all-conference performer for coach Frank Antonini ... a three-year starter including a senior season stint at fullback where he produced 740 yards rushing on 68 carries for a 10.88 yards per carry mark ... averaged 11 tackles a game as a junior and had four interceptions from his linebacker spot ... named to the All-Pennsylvania team of Tom Lemming's ... finished fourth in the Pennsylvania State Powerlifting Championships ... chosen to the Pittsburgh Press Top AAA Midwestern Athletic Conference Players to Watch ... selected to the state's top 100 team ... won the Joseph Hlista "Most Valuable Back" Award ... captain of his high school team as a senior ... Tom Lemming chose him to his preseason top 50 ... a multi-sport athlete who is an outstanding wrestler ... averaged 15 points a game in basketball as a junior ... his brother, Troy, was a Parade All-American who is enrolled at Notre Dame but red-shirted their National Championship season ... had hernia surgery this past July and it might set him back for fall practice ... attended same high school as current Clemson wide receiver Gary Cooper ... born 4-24-71