NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Psychology – 3.76 GPA
Head Coach: Dave Doeren | Athletics Director: Deborah Yow
Faculty Athletics Representative: Joel Pawlak
Ryan Finley personifies the student-athlete ideal, having already graduated from two postgraduate programs, including his master's in liberal studies, while climbing the North Carolina State record books. The Phoenix native becomes the Wolfpack’s fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
After graduating magna cum laude from Boise State in just three years with a degree in psychology, Finley transferred to North Carolina State prior to the 2016 season. In Raleigh, he maintained a 3.89 GPA while earning a master’s degree in liberal studies, and he earned a graduate certificate in youth, family, and community sciences earlier this year. With his accomplishments in the classroom, the two-time Academic All-ACC selection is believed to be one of just three FBS players to have already earned a master’s degree. Finley was named a 2018 First Team Academic All-District selection.
This season, the team captain leads the ACC with 3,180 passing yards, 318 passing yards per game (fifth nationally) and 21 touchdown passes. Having guided NC State to a 7-3 record and bowl eligibility, Finley also leads the ACC with 321.1 yards of total offense per game. After his 377-yard performance against Marshall, he became only the third ACC quarterback since 2000 to start a season with three straight games of 300-plus passing yards. Against Syracuse on Oct. 27, Finley threw for a career-best 473 yards, the fourth-highest single-game total in school history. He has been named a semifinalist for the 2018 Davey O'Brien Award and one of 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Finley continues to climb the Wolfpack record books, currently sitting second with 9,757 career passing yards, fifth with 56 career passing touchdowns, second with 17 career 300-yard passing games and second with 10,076 yards of total offense. The 2017 team co-MVP and Third Team All-ACC selection, Finley was one of just five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and guided the Wolfpack to its best record (9-4) since 2003. Behind his leadership, the 2017 team was second in the ACC Atlantic Division, won its second consecutive bowl game and finished with the No. 23 national ranking. Finley’s 3,518 passing yards in 2017 are the fourth most in Wolfpack single-season annals.
A member of the team’s leadership council, Finley represented the Wolfpack at the 2018 ACC Football Kickoff. He also started a book club with other football student-athletes and coaches centered on personal development.
Finley was drafted in the 2019 NFL draft by the Cincinatti Bengals.
