Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

As a fifth-year senior, Alabama center Ryan Kelly did his part to add to The University of Alabama’s outstanding reputation on the offensive line, becoming the Crimson Tide’s fourth finalist and second winner of the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top center. He also was the eighth Alabama offensive lineman to earn All-America honors since 2008.
 
Named a 2015 First-Team All-America by Sporting News, FWAA, USA Today and Walter Camp, Kelly anchored a Crimson Tide offensive line that provided running lanes for Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. Individually, in 948 snaps during his final season at Alabama, Kelly missed only eight assignments for a 99.2 success rate.
 
And just as the West Chester, Ohio, native made a career out of protecting Crimson Tide’s quarterbacks – not giving up a sack the last two seasons – he also protected and enhanced Alabama’s tradition of excellence in the classroom. He wrapped up his undergraduate degree in marketing following his junior season and finished with a master’s degree in marketing during the 2015 season while carrying a 3.75 grade point average.
 
“The success the team had during my time here is something I am extremely proud of,” Kelly said. “But I also take pride in being able to succeed in the classroom thanks to the tools and services provided to me during my time at The University of Alabama.”
 
The Southeastern Conference recognized the three-year starter’s outstanding work on the field and the classroom, naming Kelly the SEC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year as well as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner, an award given annually to the league’s top offensive lineman. With Kelly’s honor, Alabama earned the SEC’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year award four times in a six-year period.