Rutgers corner back Logan Ryan has decided to forgo his senior season in Piscataway and enter the 2013 NFL Draft. The redshirt Junior was recently named a first team All American by Pro Football Weekly, and he is projected to go in the second round, according to most draft prognosticators. Any player who is projected to go that high should absolutely make the jump and maximize their earning potential, but his departure leaves a pretty big hole on Rutgers' defense.
Ryan came to Rutgers as a 4 star recruit out of Eastern High School in Vorhees, NJ and he more than lived up to that billing. In addition to being named a first team All American by PFW, he was an All Big East selection by the coaches in both of his two seasons as a starter, recording 170 tackles, 31 passes defended, and 7 interceptions in his career as a Scarlet Knight. Devin McCourty mentored him, and Ryan carried on the torch from him as Rutgers top shut down corner.
Even though he is projected to go in the second round, it is very possible he could sneak his way into the first round. This year's corner back crop is pretty thin, and the position is always at a premium in a pass happy NFL. Right now, Dee Milliner of Alabama is the only sure fire first round pick, and Ryan will compete with Mississippi State's Johnathan Banks, Florida State's Xavier Rhodes and Oregon State's Jordan Poyer to be the second corner off the board come April.
With Ryan's departure, Rutgers has another void to fill in their secondary that was already decimated by graduation. They will have to replace their top 3 corners and 3 of their top 4 safeties next year. Tejay Johnson and Sheldon Royster are two talented players who will likely step into the starting lineup, but they have limited experience. Jeremy Deering also figures to switch to the defensive side of the ball next year, and some youngsters are going to have to step up and provide some depth. Ryan will be greatly missed.
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