National Football Foundation

One of Division II's most heralded defensive players, St. Cloud State's Ryan Kees has also excelled in the classroom by successfully tackling a mechanical engineering major with aplomb.

Twice named to the North Central Conference's All-Academic Team, the Eagan, Minn., native received First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District recognition in 2007. A six-time member of the SCSU Dean's List, Kees registered a perfect 4.0 GPA four semesters and was named to the NCC Commissioner's Honor Roll two times. 

The 2007 Daktronics All-North Central Region Second Team selection was named the Huskies' Defensive Player of the Year last season. A First Team All-NCC pick in 2007, Kees ranks sixth all-time at St. Cloud with 9.5 career sacks and is tied for eighth in tackles for loss with 18.5. He was also a 2007 First Team All-Northwest Region pick by Don Hansen's Football Gazette. 

Kees is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) and has served as a "Husky Hauler" on campus move-in day. He volunteers for a youth football program on Saturday mornings and has participated in the reading program at a local elementary school. 

Kees is St. Cloud's third NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Ryan Koch in 2005. Kees was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft and also appeared on the roster of the Arizona Cardinals. He earned his MBA from the University of Minnesota in 2014 and is currently a marketing engineer for Emerson Process Management, a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution facilities in key industries.