National Football Foundation

Illinois' Ryan McDonald has effectively balanced gridiron success and academic excellence, becoming the eighth Fighting Illini player named an NFF National Scholar-Athlete.

A 2007 ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-America selection, McDonald was named the 2008 Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. An honors graduate of Illinois' prestigious aerospace engineering program, which is ranked among the top five in the country, he was named to the Dean's List or better every semester of his undergraduate career. McDonald was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten choice. 

A four-year starter, the Holland, Mich., native is on pace to break the school record for most starts in a career. A vital part of the Illini offense that led the Big Ten in rushing in 2006 and '07, McDonald led Illinois to a record-breaking 2007 season and the team's first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1984. He was key to an offensive line that set the school record for fewest sacks allowed in a season (16) in 2007. 

In honor of his mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, McDonald organized a team of fellow players for the 2008 MS Walk, raising $1,500 for the charity. He is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. McDonald was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft. 

McDonald earned his master's in aerospace engineering from Illinois in 2013 and is currently a components engineer for Pratt & Whitney Aeropower, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. He is also the founder and co-owner of the Shabba Clothing Company