Foothill QB Josh Riddell (6-1, 195) is one of those players and he’s come up
big for Owls since he stepped on campus.
“I had a pretty good year last year and I’ve started off pretty well this
year,” Riddell told JCFootball.com recently. “Over the summer I really wanted
to work on my accuracy because it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be last year,
so that’s what I worked on. My mechanics needed work and I’ve got that down and
I think it’s really improved so far this year.”
Riddell completed 57% of his passes last year and had 1,973 yards with 18
touchdowns and nine interceptions. So far this year he’s been even better.
“He's playing on another level right now,” Foothill assistant coach Aaron
Ingram said. “He had an incredible game last week (against Cabrillo). He was
20 for 26 – including four drops – for 334 yards with 3 passing touchdowns and
one rushing touchdown.”
But it wasn’t always an obstacle-free path for Riddell.
He prepped at McKay High School in Salem, Oregon where he played for his
father. Even though he was a full-qualifier he didn’t receive a lot of interest
from colleges.
“I didn’t play quarterback until my senior year,” Riddell said. “I played
wide receiver and defensive back, so I really didn’t get a lot of interest.”
Following graduation, Riddell headed to Santa Rosa Junior College and
greyshirted the one year he was there.
“I just didn’t feel comfortable there and the system didn’t really fit me at
all so I started looking around,” Riddell recalled. “I talked to coach
(Marshall) Sperbeck and really liked the system they run here so I transferred
and I’m really glad I did because I’m having a lot of fun and we’re playing
really well.”
Foothill’s system is a basic west coast offense and Riddell relishes the
chance to have the entire offense and their production on his shoulders.
“The offense is really geared to letting quarterbacks control the game,”
Riddell said. “We have a good running game and great receivers so that helps me
a lot too. We’re just a really sound team right now and we’re just working hard
to make it through undefeated.
“It’s going to be tough though because we have some tough games ahead.”
Riddell isn’t known as a scrambler, but he isn’t a statue either (he runs a
4.7 forty). He’s also got some room to fill-out at the next level.
As far as recruiting is concerned, Riddell said things will take care of
themselves when his season is over.
“I’ve received a lot of letters and stuff, but I really don’t even think
about it that much,” Riddell said. “I don’t even talk to my coaches about who
is asking for film or anything like that. We’re 5-0 and I want this to be the
best season it can be. Recruiting will take care of itself when it needs to
happen. I’m not worried about it.”
Wherever Riddell ends up, he’ll have three years to play two and he’ll finish
up his degree in December so he should be able to attend spring practices as
well.
This week Foothill plays at College of San Mateo in a battle of undefeated
teams.