Matt Ryan, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Quarterback 6' 4" 224 lbs. Speed: 4.93 Boston College Senior

I wouldn’t be surprised to see QB Brian Brohm from Louisville, and QB Matt Ryan from Boston College go 1-2 in the 2008 NFL Draft. His teammates call him “Matty Ice” because he is as cool as a cucumber on the football field, he never gets nervous or uptight, just calmly walks into the huddle and executes the game plan. Matt Ryan is an up and coming star and a heck of an NFL Draft Prospect.

What an over-all game he had last year as a junior (2006), he put up some gaudy numbers despite suffering from a high ankle sprain in the first game of the season against Central Michigan. He fought back from that injury and it finally looked like he was getting healthy when, in a win against Virginia Tech (Oct. 12^th), he broke his foot.

In spite of all that adversity he still managed to lead Boston College to a 10 win season. Ryan received All-ACC first-team honors, and finished his junior season completing 419-of-693 passes for 4,806 yards and 25 touchdowns; has also ran for nine touchdowns. He had the fifth most passing yards for a season in school history and led the ACC in total offense with 242.2 yards per game, and in passing yards with 245.5 yards per game.

He also earned MVP honors at the 2005 MPC Computers Bowl and has thrown for 200 or more yards 16 times. Ryan has recorded a 14-4 mark in 18 career starts and has thrown for 200 or more yards 16 times He is fifth all-time in school history in passing yards and fourth in pass completions with 418.

By the time his senior season is over, he will have been a three year starter and should shatter almost every ACC record in existence. That is unless he receives another major injury or new offensive coordinator Steve Logan messes things up. Prior to coming to Boston College, Logan coached quarterbacks to scramble at ECU.  While Ryan is fairly mobile, his strength is standing in the pocket and firing the ball downfield.

The Heisman Trophy is a possibility, but playing for an under the radar Boston College team will hurt his chances for that award. But that’s OK, it seems that winning the Heisman trophy and the NFL are not a good combination.

Coming out of high school at Philadelphia (PA) William Penn Charter, Ryan measured in at 6’ 5” 200 pounds and ran a 4.93 forty. He is also known as a smart kid, graduating with a 3.25 GPA.

Coming into his senior season (2007) Ryan looks recovered from that broken foot, and he could emerge a potential first round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He has excellent size at 6’ 4” 224 pounds, and a powerful, accurate arm. Ryan is a tough, gutsy kid that knows how to win games. He stands tall in the pocket, has excellent mechanics and delivery, and has good vision over the entire field. The 2008 NFL Mock Drafts are just starting to come out, so don’t be surprised to see Matt Ryan in the first round.