Ridley glad to have a brother to lean on

Having a brother who is one of the top wide receivers in the SEC has its advantages.

Don’t believe it? Just ask Georgia freshman Riley Ridley.

For those unfamiliar with the Riley family tree, Riley’s brother Calvin is a standout sophomore at Alabama, which faces Washington in the playoff at the Peach Bowl New Year’s Eve.

Riley Ridley couldn’t be prouder.

“We talk every day,” Riley Ridley said after practice on Monday.

“We talk about all sorts of things, like what I can do to be a better receiver; he gives me feedback, asks me if I’m learning the plays,” he continued. “It’s a beautiful thing to have my brother by my side.”

Credit Calvin Ridley for the fact Riley now wears the Red and Black.

“My brother wanted me to be in the SEC,” Riley Ridley said. “He said I should go to Georgia; he thought it would be the best place for me and I did not second-guess him.”

South Carolina’s loss was the Bulldogs’ gain.

Originally committed to the Gamecocks, Riley Ridley was all set to become a Gamecock until a December visit to Athens caused him to change his mind.

“There were a lot of twist and turns,” he said. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m excited about my future and happy to be a Dawg.”

No doubt the feeling is mutual.

As a freshman, Ridley caught 12 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, including the 47-yarder against Tennessee that looked to have given the Bulldog a win over the rival Volunteers.

“When I first saw it coming, I was like ‘OK, Riley, what are you going to do now?’” Ridley recalled. “Once I got it in my hands, I’m like ‘Wow, I just made something big happen.’ I’m just happy that Jacob (Eason) had the trust in me to throw it.”

Of course, you know what happened next.

Following an unsportsmanlike penalty for celebrating on former teammate Rico McGraw, the Vols were able to convert a last-second Hail Mary to pull out the 34-31 win.

But Ridley hasn’t let that play keep him down.

As the Bulldogs get ready for their Liberty Bowl date with TCU, the Florida native is hoping to use the game as a springboard to 2017.

“Coach (James) Coley always teaches me to use what’s in my tool box to help my team; we talk about that every day,” Ridley said. “We talk about that every day in practice, and I make sure I do that every day. By the grace of God everything has worked out well.”