GC EXCLUSIVE - DEMECO RYANS

[GridironCentral]

Here's the transcript of my interview with Alabama LB Demeco Ryans. Sorry it took so long, but I hope everyone enjoys...

www.gridironcentralmag.com

LE: What’s life been like for you, from the end of last season, up until now?

DR: It’s been pretty hectic. We had the bowl game, and after that I was out in Arizona, training for the Combine and Pro Day. I spent about two months out there. I’ve been a whole traning/diet program. Then, I came back home, and I’ve just been working out here.

LE: It sounds like you’ve been having some fun.

DR: Yeah, somewhere in there. There’s a lot of busy work, but it’s been fun, too. Getting to know different people, all kinds of other players from around the country. You’ve seen the names, but now you know who they are.

LE: First things first, congratulations on being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and more importantly, adding another Academic All-American honor. How important are honors like that, whether it’s on or off the field?

DR: Thank you. Education is the most important thing. My mom always harped on getting good grades in school, all the way from elementary school through college, and up until I graduated. I think it speaks even higher when we see athletes excelling in the classroom, as well as on the field. Most people just see athletes as athletes, but we’re students just like everybody on campus. We have the capabilities in the classroom, not just to play football. We come here to get a degree, not just play football. I think it makes you more credible when you go back home, when you’ve performed well in the classroom. People have come up to me and told me what a great role model I am to their kids and their students. That’s just such a great honor, to have kids look up to you, not just because you play football, but also because of your grades. Hopefully, it will spark them to get it done in the classroom, also.

LE: A lot of people have been talking about how you lack certain measurable skills, and are therefore not an “elite” prospect. What do you say to people who question your ability?

DR: I don’t pay any attention to them. Nobody’s perfect. Everyone has their weaknesses and flaws, and some people think that because of that, some players can’t get it done. But it’s football. Breaking down prospects isn’t an exact science. No one can figure it out. The best player at the combine isn’t always the best player in the NFL. For me, this is just an opportunity to go out and show people what I can do, and when people question my ability, it just makes me go out and work that much harder. I just want to show them that I can get it done, no matter how big I am. It’s football.

LE: What LB position do you feel you would fit best at in the NFL, the Sam, Will, or Mike?

DR: I think the Will (Weak-side LB). I think playing the backside, and just being able to run the ball down. Pursuing the ball is what I’m good at, and I take good angles to the ball, so I think that would be the best spot for me.

LE: What NFL teams have you visted/shown interest in you?

DR: I visited the Patriots last week, and I’m going to visit the Lions, Vikings and Redskins.

LE: Is there an NFL team that you’d like to see yourself playing for? Maybe a team you grew up rooting for?

DR: Not really. I really wasn’t that much into football growing up. Growing up, I was always a baseball guy, so I never had a favorite NFL team, or anything like that. My friends and I would always just pick a team at the beginning of each season, and it would go back and forth like that, so we never really had one specific team.

LE: You had a great senior season, with capped off an incredible career for you at Alabama. What was it like for you, being the most recognizable player on arguably the best defense in the nation last year?

DR: It was great. It was just unexplainable. Just being the top guy, who kind of led the team. We had a lot of victories this past season, and to have all those guys looking to me as the leader, and me just going out and helping the guys and getting things done. It was great to be looked at as the top guy, but without my teammates help, I wouldn’t have been anything last year.

LE: There’s been some great tradition at Alabama, especially at LB (Derrick Thomas, Cornelius Bennet, etc). What did it mean to you to be a part of that tradition, not only at Alabama, but also as a part of that defense, and at that position?

DR: It really means a lot. To just hear myself being named along with those guys, it’s such an honor. Coming here, you always hear about those guys, and they’re some of the best to ever come through here. To hear people tell me that I remind them or this guy or that guy, it’s just a huge honor. I respect those guys, and they’re some elite players at Alabama. There’s always been so much pride on this defense, and for me to be able to come here and be a part of this defense, and to be a recognizable figure, it’s great, all around.

LE: Are there any NFL players that inspired you, either while you were growing up or even now?

DR: Not really. I like to watch everybody play. I’ve been watching all of the good linebackers since I was in 9th grade, but I don’t think there’s any certain player that I ever tried to emulate or anything like that. I just like to watch them all play and pick up things, here and there. Asking questions like, “How could he have done that differently, or how would I have approached it? I just try to get better mentally by watching those guys.

LE: What type of NFL defensive scheme do you think would be able to use your talents most effectively?

DR: It really doesn’t matter to me. 3-4, 4-3, I think I can handle both well. In the 3-4, I can be an inside guy, and in the 4-3 I can play either side. It really doesn’t matter to me.I really think I could fit well in any defensive scheme.

LE: You are an NFL Scout. Break down Demeco Ryans. Give me your strengths and weaknesses, from your perspective.

DR: My strengths are that I’m a solid tackler, and I do well in coverage. I think I need to improve at the point of attack, and strengthen my man coverage skills.

LE: Do you think playing in the SEC has better prepared you for the rigors of the NFL, as opposed to some other conferences?

DR: Most definitely. You have to take every team seriously, every week. Anyone can beat anyone in the SEC, just like in the NFL. Any given day, you can get beat by any team, just like the parity in the NFL.

LE: Name one NFL player that you’re looking forward to squaring up against.

DR: Wow, there’s so many guys. I’m looking forward to facing LaDainian (Tomlinson). I just think he’s the top guy. He can bring the shiftiness, he can bring the power game, and he can throw the ball. He can just do it all. I think it’s going to be great to face him, because he’s the best running back in the NFL, hands down, in my opinion.
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LE#16

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:24

[AntonioGates]

Great read GIC, and I love that last answer. Maybe he'll have a chance to try and tackle LT everyday at practice.

He seems like a player I would want on my team.

[Element]

He seems like a good young man, he's definitely got his head in the right place. Personally, I think he'd be a great fit for the Pats.

Kudos on another great interview.
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Sig courtesy d24pick

Believe.
One Team.
One City.
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[Patsfan01]

I think he'll be a great fit for the Pats too. He needs to put on about 10 pounds, but he will be a great LB in this league. Nice interview. One of my favorite players in the draft.
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[Tzimisce]

More than 10 lbs, I'd say. More like 20 or 25. I'm not sure he has the frame for it.

If he moves inside, he could be another guy like Donnie Edwards, who's undersized but makes a lot of plays, but I personally think the's best suited for the 4-3.
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GTFO Tebow

[GridironCentral]

He's almost 240. I don't think he'd need more than 10 pounds to have enough beef to play inside in the 3-4...
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LE#16

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:24

[cew28315039]

great interview GC and it is about time j/k great job man looking forward to the others
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[Patsfan01]

Yeah Bruschi's at 247. I just looked at an article and Demeco said that he was exactly at 240 now. That was just at his Pro Day. I mean he ran a 4.59 at his Pro Day and is 240 higher then both top ILBs in the draft. Not bad for a guy who is main question marks are speed and size.
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[GridironCentral]

I absolutely agree. He's one of the most underrated players in this draft...
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LE#16

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:24

[Vikes need a RB]

Idtake ihm in the second if he fell that far
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[cccp]

yep he's the man and he played for the tide
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CTMagic24 is as clutch as they come

[goblue42]

Nice Read - I really like his game and the more I check him out the more I like him. The Lions at 40, who need linebacker help, will take a look at him. I think he goes somewhere in the middle of the 2nd round.
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Lions to the Superbowl before I die!!!!

[GridironCentral]

If he lasts that long, there will be 1 extremely happy team, and 31 very angry teams...
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LE#16

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." - 1 Corinthians 9:24