Louis Riddick played for five NFL teams over his 11-year career as a player before becoming a scout in 2001. Riddick worked as a scout for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles, rising to Philadelphia’s director of pro personnel in 2010.
He’s since become an analyst for ESPN, and he recently praised a rookie quarterback during an “NFL Live” appearance.
Louis Riddick ‘Absolutely Loves’ One Rookie QB
The former Eagles personnel director has praised Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward. Tennessee picked Ward with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a stellar five-year college career.
ESPN’s NFL X account tweeted a clip of Riddick discussing Ward. He said, “The thing you are going to see with Cam Ward as this season goes on, and as his career progresses, is that this guy is a football savant when it comes to being able to digest large amounts of information and play at a high level in terms of football IQ.
“I love the kid. Absolutely love him, and he is a stone-cold killer of a leader. I think that’s exactly what Tennessee needed,” Riddick added.
Ward initially attended FCS Incarnate Word, posting a career-high 4,648 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2021. He transferred to Washington State in 2022 and spent two seasons with the Cougars.
He only amassed a 12-13 record but totaled 3,735 yards and 25 passing touchdowns in 2023, while adding eight rushing scores that season. He transferred again in 2024 and spent his final college season at Miami.
Ward led the Hurricanes to a 9-0 start, including multiple late-game comebacks, before falling in Week 10. Miami finished the regular season 10-2 and missed the College Football Playoff, but Ward performed well. He threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
With each transfer, he increased his level of competition and proved he was the best quarterback in this year’s class.
“This guy is a football savant. … He is a stone-cold killer of a leader, and I think that’s exactly what Tennessee needed.”@LRiddickESPN has high praise for Cam Ward heading into Year 1 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0F2NviArqg
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 4, 2025
What Is Ward Walking Into in Tennessee?
The Titans secured the first overall pick by going 3-14 in Brian Callahan’s first season as head coach. Will Levis started 12 games, posting a 2-12 record. Levis showed promise as a rookie but struggled to keep himself under control in Year 2 and finished 34th in PFSN’s QB+ metric.
Tennessee’s offense was slightly better with Mason Rudolph at quarterback but only managed to be 27th-best in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. Ward is inheriting a unit led by Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard. Each surpassed 1,000 yards in their discipline, but the Titans lacked a consistent presence offensively.
Riddick is confident that Ward can be the steadying hand for Tennessee. The rookie got better each of his final three years in college and has the tools to bring the Titans back from the NFL abyss.