Ryan Roberts (American football) facts for kids

Ryan Roberts, born on August 11, 1980, is a former American football player. He played as a defensive end for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish college team from 1998 to 2002. He went to Haddonfield Memorial High School.

Early Life and High School Football

Ryan Roberts was born in Camden, New Jersey. He grew up in Lawnside, New Jersey. In high school, he earned three varsity letters in football at Haddonfield Memorial High School.

When Ryan started high school, he played soccer. However, a friend encouraged him to try football during his first year. Early in his high school career, he thought about going to colleges like Princeton University or the University of Pennsylvania.

Ryan had back pain while playing both running back and defensive end in high school. This was due to a condition he was born with. Even so, by his senior year, he was considered one of the top football players in his high school class of 1998.

In his senior year, Ryan ran for over 1,000 yards. He also had 10 quarterback sacks. He visited colleges like Iowa, Penn State, and Notre Dame. In December 1997, he said he would play for Notre Dame. On February 5, 1998, Ryan signed his official agreement to play for Notre Dame.

In 1997, USAToday named Ryan an honorable-mention All-American at defensive end. The Associated Press also named him a First Team All-State player in 1997. Ryan scored a safety in the first-ever Governor's Bowl All-Star Classic. This game featured all-stars from New York and New Jersey.

College Football Career

Ryan Roberts started his college career at Notre Dame as a linebacker. After his first year, he switched to defensive end for the 1998 Fighting Irish team. He spent 1998 on the practice team.

Ryan played 10 games for the 1999 team. After that season, he had serious back surgery that could have ended his career. He only played 37 minutes in 1999, but he made 6 tackles, including one quarterback sack.

After his surgery in January 2000, Ryan could not play in the spring. He lost weight while recovering. Even though he was not fully healed, doctors said he could play in the fall. The team's senior captain, Grant Irons, was injured. This meant Ryan had to become a starter for the 2000 team. He started in 8 of 12 games. He recorded a sack in each of his first four games. His sack against Texas A&M happened on his very first play of the game.

Ryan started 5 of 8 games for the 2001 team. He then suffered a season-ending medial collateral ligament injury. One of Ryan's best moments was getting 3 sacks in 2001. This happened in the rivalry game against USC. In that game, he had 4 tackles for a loss. He also made a tackle that saved a touchdown, forcing the other team to kick a field goal.

The 2001 season was a tough one for Notre Dame. Ryan's fifth year, known as a redshirt season, was for the 2002 team. This was Tyrone Willingham's first season as the head coach at Notre Dame. Ryan had already earned a science-business degree. The defensive line, including Ryan, helped Notre Dame become very successful in 2002. That year, Ryan had 2 sacks against Purdue and 2 sacks against Michigan State. His efforts helped Coach Willingham have the most wins for a first-year head coach in Notre Dame history.

The 2021 Notre Dame Football Media Guide ranks Ryan Roberts 8th in career sacks. He is also tied for 7th in single-season sacks. At the end of his time at Notre Dame in 2002, he was ranked fourth in school history with 19 career sacks. He also had 8 sacks in a single season (2002).

See Also

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish football statistical leaders