April 29, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State defensive tackle Clifton Ryan has been selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2007 National Football League Draft Sunday, April 29. Ryan became the No. 17 pick in the fifth round and the No. 154 selection overall. It marks the fourth straight year that a Spartan defensive tackle has been drafted, as Ryan joins Matthias Askew (2004: Cincinnati, fourth round), Kevin Vickerson (2005: Miami, seventh round) and Domata Peko (2006: Cincinnati, fourth round).

The 6-2, 302-pound Ryan led the Spartans in sacks (4 for 31 yards) and quarterback pressures (19) in 2006. He recorded 25 total tackles, including six for losses (34 yards), and ranked fifth on the team in production points (58.5). Ryan played the entire second half of the season with a calf injury.

The Saginaw, Mich., native made three solo tackles against Notre Dame, including a career-best two sacks (11 yards). Ryan also was credited with three QB pressures against the Fighting Irish.

He tallied a season-high five stops against Idaho, including a 5-yard sack, and five QB pressures.

In St. Louis, Ryan will be reunited with former Spartan linebacker coach Mike Cox, now an assistant defensive line coach for the Rams.

"Heading into this weekend's draft, the defensive line was targeted as an area of need for our team," Cox said. "The one thing that I could verify for the front office here is Clifton Ryan's toughness. We also liked his ability to stack blocks inside, so we feel like he can help our run defense. He'll probably get a look at nose tackle right off the bat."

Ryan earned 35 career starting assignments, including the last 28 games in a row. He recorded 118 career tackles, with 20 resulting in losses (96 yards) including 10.5 sacks (62).

Ryan made two solo tackles in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game, including one for a 1-yard loss.