Courtesy of The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – DeMeco Ryans, the most decorated student-athlete in The University of Alabama’s football history, may soon depart his home state, but he’ll be keeping an eye on his hometown from high in the sky.

A billboard lauding Ryans, a Bessemer native, for his combined academic-athletic accomplishments will peer down on I-65 motorists as they drive near the Fourth Avenue South exit in Birmingham, beginning this week. The billboard reads “Go DeMECO! DeMeco Ryans NCAA Top VIII Academic Award” and depicts the crimson-clad, number 35 racing to make a tackle.