The College Years
There was this 16-year-old freshman, who looked like a man. Ryan was a man among boys. Though his physical stature held up to the pounding, his social life was something out of Doogie Howser M.D. He was way out of his comfort zone and had never had this sort of freedom. What was helping him keep his mind focused was his role on the team, the competition for playing time was between two guys at quarterback, neither one was him. Ryan knew coming in, he was going to need some time to get acclimated to the speed and size and strength of the college game. He even anticipated needing help with the playbook, but nothing prepared him for this role. He became a school tutor for team. Being smarter than his peers was something he was used to, in high school. Here, his expectations were to learn more and grow mentally and scholastically. With becoming the go-to-guy for school stuff, he leaned heavily on the older guys to help him navigate the difficulties of a now, 17-year-old in college.
Spring was in the air in Lexington and the sounds of weights clanking in the weight room were replaced by the loud whistle blows from the coaches. Spring practice was here. It was time to finally have a good opportunity to show all of those who had only heard about Ryan Sierra, the redshirt freshman phenom, see him perform on a bigger stage. The coaches had two more QB’s brought in with the new class, providing competition for the 4 quarterbacks set for the roster in the fall. Ryan would win the back-up role as a red-shirt freshman, beating out a true freshman and a junior JC transfer.
Ryan, now 6’6” 230 lbs., 2 weeks following his 18th birthday, finally sees his first game action, when their senior QB must sit for a few snaps to get checked out after taking a big hit. It’s early in September, Troy State is in town, trying to make a name for themselves. He gets 1 series, 13 plays, to coach’s dismay, resulting in a FG. The series saw Ryan handoff 10 of those 13 plays. Ryan’s final stat line, 1-3, 27 yards passing. Nothing to write home about. He wouldn’t get another opportunity this season, as the Wildcats would have a successful season without major injury.
Entering his 3rd and final year at University of Kentucky, 6’7” Ryan Sierra is poised to do great things. Eligibility wise, he is only a sophomore, but academically he will graduate near the end of the season, in December. Ryan has continued to work tirelessly through the spring and summer leading into this season, and has resulted in him the Starting QB job. A dream come true, for Sierra, but not without difficulties. With a canon for an arm, Ryan can make every throw, anywhere, on-time. He’s a great athlete, but when you’re carrying 280 lbs. agility and mobility tend to become primary concerns in a position where the fleet feet of a super athlete become game changers. Kentucky’s roster wasn’t built with the weapons needed to take advantage of the huge arm Ryan possess and they suffer greatly as a team. Losing an offensive juggernaut in Randall Cobb the year before to the NFL was a big blow to their chances of making any noise in the SEC. Ryan does his best, but they finish the season 5-7. Disappointed with the season they had, he vowed he wouldn’t leave the game he’s worked so hard at over these years. With the idea of continuing his education, Ryan would transfer and utilize the NCAA’s lax graduate transfer rules, while working on his MBA. Where would he go? With a desire to play in front of his family and friends, he decides to move back home, Reno, NV.
With this change in scenery, also comes with a change in position. Ryan, while still possessing all the assets of a great quarterback, has become too big to perform at an acceptable level. Ryan Sierra now stands 6’7” and weighing in at 310 lbs. is bigger than all but 2 of the lineman at Nevada. The Wolf Pack return a mobile QB in a guy named Fajardo, who is very good in his own right. This change comes as a surprise to everyone, except Ryan. As he develops his technique, Ryan falls in love with this newfound freedom and embraces the role of protector. Sierra performs, and he performs well as he makes this new position home. Welcome home Ryan, welcome home.
GRADED
There was this 16-year-old freshman, who looked like a man. Ryan was a man among boys. Though his physical stature held up to the pounding, his social life was something out of Doogie Howser M.D. He was way out of his comfort zone and had never had this sort of freedom. What was helping him keep his mind focused was his role on the team, the competition for playing time was between two guys at quarterback, neither one was him. Ryan knew coming in, he was going to need some time to get acclimated to the speed and size and strength of the college game. He even anticipated needing help with the playbook, but nothing prepared him for this role. He became a school tutor for team. Being smarter than his peers was something he was used to, in high school. Here, his expectations were to learn more and grow mentally and scholastically. With becoming the go-to-guy for school stuff, he leaned heavily on the older guys to help him navigate the difficulties of a now, 17-year-old in college.
Spring was in the air in Lexington and the sounds of weights clanking in the weight room were replaced by the loud whistle blows from the coaches. Spring practice was here. It was time to finally have a good opportunity to show all of those who had only heard about Ryan Sierra, the redshirt freshman phenom, see him perform on a bigger stage. The coaches had two more QB’s brought in with the new class, providing competition for the 4 quarterbacks set for the roster in the fall. Ryan would win the back-up role as a red-shirt freshman, beating out a true freshman and a junior JC transfer.
Ryan, now 6’6” 230 lbs., 2 weeks following his 18th birthday, finally sees his first game action, when their senior QB must sit for a few snaps to get checked out after taking a big hit. It’s early in September, Troy State is in town, trying to make a name for themselves. He gets 1 series, 13 plays, to coach’s dismay, resulting in a FG. The series saw Ryan handoff 10 of those 13 plays. Ryan’s final stat line, 1-3, 27 yards passing. Nothing to write home about. He wouldn’t get another opportunity this season, as the Wildcats would have a successful season without major injury.
Entering his 3rd and final year at University of Kentucky, 6’7” Ryan Sierra is poised to do great things. Eligibility wise, he is only a sophomore, but academically he will graduate near the end of the season, in December. Ryan has continued to work tirelessly through the spring and summer leading into this season, and has resulted in him the Starting QB job. A dream come true, for Sierra, but not without difficulties. With a canon for an arm, Ryan can make every throw, anywhere, on-time. He’s a great athlete, but when you’re carrying 280 lbs. agility and mobility tend to become primary concerns in a position where the fleet feet of a super athlete become game changers. Kentucky’s roster wasn’t built with the weapons needed to take advantage of the huge arm Ryan possess and they suffer greatly as a team. Losing an offensive juggernaut in Randall Cobb the year before to the NFL was a big blow to their chances of making any noise in the SEC. Ryan does his best, but they finish the season 5-7. Disappointed with the season they had, he vowed he wouldn’t leave the game he’s worked so hard at over these years. With the idea of continuing his education, Ryan would transfer and utilize the NCAA’s lax graduate transfer rules, while working on his MBA. Where would he go? With a desire to play in front of his family and friends, he decides to move back home, Reno, NV.
With this change in scenery, also comes with a change in position. Ryan, while still possessing all the assets of a great quarterback, has become too big to perform at an acceptable level. Ryan Sierra now stands 6’7” and weighing in at 310 lbs. is bigger than all but 2 of the lineman at Nevada. The Wolf Pack return a mobile QB in a guy named Fajardo, who is very good in his own right. This change comes as a surprise to everyone, except Ryan. As he develops his technique, Ryan falls in love with this newfound freedom and embraces the role of protector. Sierra performs, and he performs well as he makes this new position home. Welcome home Ryan, welcome home.
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word count - 765GRADED
