by Nate Allen
FAYETTEVILLE - Graduate transfer John Ridgeway, in Saturday’s fifth round, and senior cornerback Montaric Brown, in Saturday’s seventh round, joined Thursday first-round selected junior wide receiver Treylon Burks as Arkansas Razorbacks chosen in the completed three-day 2022 NFL draft.
Ridgeway, the 6-5, 321graduate transfer from Illinois State and and former Illinois state champion wrestler from Bloomington, Ill. was drafted in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys.
Brown of Ashdown was the seventh round choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
All-American receiver Burks of Warren, who as a junior turned pro to prepare for the draft prior to Arkansas’ Jan. 1 Outback Bowl victory over Penn State, was the 18th player taken in the entire draft. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans who traded fourth-year receiver AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the draft pick to secure Burks and Philadelphia’s third round pick.
The Titans selected Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean with that third round pick.
Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman was elated with the selections of the three Razorbacks. “The Dallas Cowboys got a good one," Pittman posted Saturday on Twitter of Ridgeway. “Tough, loyal, plays hard.”
And he tweeted, “Congrats to Mo Brown! Great person and player.”
Of Burks, Pittman tweeted, “What a proud night for @Treylon Burks and his wonderful family. So much fun to see how hard work pays off. Congrats to HS coach @bo_hembree.”
Missing only one game despite undergoing an appendectomy during the season, Ridgeway made 39 tackles and was instrumental in forcing offensive lines to double team him, better freeing linebackers Grant Morgan, Hayden Henry and returnee Bumper Pool to make tackles.
Brown led the Razorbacks and SEC with five interceptions and made 54 tackles. He started every game for the 9-4 Hogs.
Burks led the Razorbacks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches, 66, 1,104 and 11 and also rushed 14 times for 112 yards and a touchdown.
As undrafted free agents, graduated linebacker Morgan, a 2020 All-American, has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Graduated offensive tackle Myron Cunningham has signed with the Houston Texans and graduated offensive lineman Ty Clary has signed with the Miami Dolphins.