Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Statistics:
7 tackles, 2 unassisted, 2 TFL for minus-12 yards, 1.5 sacks

Preparation was the name of the game for Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans. He was literally a coach on the field. Ryans’ infectious leadership qualities brought out the best in everyone. As a senior, he earned unanimous All-America recognition and was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference. In the Crimson Tide’s 13-10 victory over Texas Tech in the 70th Cotton Bowl Classic, Ryans and teammates held the nation’s top-ranked passing attack in check. He was credited with seven tackles, five of them solo, two tackles for loss that included 1.5 quarterback sacks for minus-12 yards and was selected as the Felix R. McKnight Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game. Ryans was tremendous in the classroom, too. He graduated with honors and became Alabama’s top male student-athlete. He was truly excellence personified.