National Football Foundation

A fierce tackler and dominating defensive presence, Alabama's DeMeco Ryans has helped re-launch the Crimson Tide as a national power while establishing himself as a top-flight academic scholar.

A three-time Academic All-Conference selection, Ryans is scheduled to graduate with Cum Laude honors in only three and a half years. A two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection, he was named the top student-athlete from the College of Commerce and Business Administration and received the Bryant Award as the athletics department's top male student-athlete. An Arthur Ashe Scholar, Ryans has earned Dean's List recognition four times. 

A team leader, Ryans earned 2004 Second Team All-Conference honors. In 2003, he led the team in tackles with 126, the second highest single-season total in school history. Ryans has over 275 career tackles and is poised to become only the fifth player in school history to amass 300 in his career. 

Dedicated to the community, Ryans is a frequent speaker to youth sports banquets and has been a spokesperson for the Franklin County DARE Program. A participant in area "Read Across America" programs, he volunteered at the Tuscaloosa VA Hospital United Way Kickoff Program.

Ryans was selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after starting all 16 games in 2006 and registering 155 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. In 2007, he earned First Team All-Pro honors after making 128 tackles and two sacks. Ryans started 86 games from 2006-11, accumulating 636 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, eight fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

The Texans' franchise leader in career tackles, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2012 season. Since 2012, Ryans has started 40 games for the Eagles, recording 285 tackles, five sacks and four interceptions.