Alabama Football: 30 Tide Greats who exceeded their 3-Star high school rankings
By Ronald Evans
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 2. DeMeco Ryans
- Bessemer, AL
- Linebacker (2002-2005)
- 2002 Recruit Ranking: No. 771 in the nation
- 2005 Consensus All-American
- Three-time All-SEC Academic team
- 2005 Lott Trophy Winner
- 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2004 Winner Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award
- No. 5 Alabama Career Tackles (309)
- No. 2 Alabama Single-Season Tackles (126)
- No.1 Alabama Single Game Tackles (25)
(note Lee Roy Jordan made 31 tackles in the 1963 Orange Bowl but in that era player stats in bowls were not officially recognized)
The list of elite Alabama linebackers is mind-boggling. From Lee Roy Jordan to Reuben Foster, Alabama football has produced more than a dozen of college football’s greatest linebackers. Choosing the one best is practically impossible. DeMeco Ryans will be on anyone’s Greatest Crimson Tide linebacker list.
Wonder how the 2017 Alabama football linebacker group fits into Tide history? Check this out, Are the 2017 Tide linebackers the best group ever?
In a ten-season NFL career, DeMeco started every game but one. Ryans was drafted by the Houston Texans as the overall No. 33 pick and the first pick in the second round.
In 140 NFL games with the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, Ryans made 970 tackles, with 13.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and seven interceptions. He was a two-time Pro Bowl team member. DeMeco’s NFL career was ended by an injury.