RYANS EXCELLED AS STUDENT AND ATHLETE AT ALABAMA

Larry Mayer/ChicagoBears.com 

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Linebacker DeMeco Ryans emerged as a star both on the field and in the classroom at Alabama, where he hit running backs and his books with the same ferocity.

As a senior in 2005, Ryans was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Draddy Award, which is considered the academic equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

The 6-1½, 236-pounder was also a four-time All-Academic SEC selection and a recipient of the prestigious NCAA Top VIII award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in athletics, scholarship and community service and is presented each year to just eight student-athletes. READ MORE