UWSP star follows heart, joins Badgers (original) (raw)

Scott A. Williams

STEVENS POINT – It’s a conversation University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point football coach Tom Journell had a sneaking suspicion was inevitable.

When the University of Wisconsin announced Dec. 18 that Paul Chryst had been named head coach, Journell figured offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk would be walking into his office soon.

Less than a month later, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound Ramczyk, a former Stevens Point Area Senior High standout, was sitting in front of Journell. Something had been weighing on his mind.

“Ryan told me, ‘Coach, I have had some thoughts about being a Badger,’” said Journell, who is in his fourth season as the Pointers’ coach. “We were not going to stand in his way. ... We were there to only help.

“We wished him nothing but the best. What a great thing for Ryan and for Stevens Point.”

UWSP quickly granted Ramczyk his release.

Ramczyk reached out to the Wisconsin coaching staff to see whether the interest was mutual.

A quick check into his academic standing at UWSP was done to make sure it met UW’s strict requirements. Once that checked out, the Badgers’ coaching staff welcomed Ramczyk with open arms.

In keeping with NCAA transfer policy, Ramczyk will have to sit out this season. He will have two years of eligibility with the Badgers starting in 2016.

The sit-down with the only college head coach he’s known wasn’t exactly a piece of cake for Ramczyk. either.

“I guess I just felt after two years at (UW-) Stevens Point, and always having a dream to play for the Badgers, this was a good time to transfer,” Ramczyk said.

“It was hard leaving UWSP, that was tough,” Ramczyk added. “It’s hard to leave a team you’ve been with for two years. They have a really good coaching staff.”

It’s easy to see why the UW coaching staff is excited to have him in Madison.

Size is one thing — Ramczyk has the body of the prototypical UW lineman — but having the footwork of a professional dancer is another. In his two seasons against some of the top Division III talent in the country, Ramczyk used his great feet to dominate in pass protection and in the running game.

Ramczyk was a two-time all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pick with the Pointers, landing on the second team as a freshman. He received first-team honors a year ago.

“Ryan’s going to play in the NFL, whether he played here or at Wisconsin. Scouts already know about him,” Journell said. “In his mind, being an offensive lineman coming out of Wisconsin, your chances of playing in NFL are greater. I agree.

“He’s very athletic, really long and strong with great balance. Ryan has NFL numbers right now,” Journell added. “He’s a great kid and we have zero bitterness, only celebration and being happy for Ryan.”

Ramczyk was sought by Chryst long before he became the Badgers’ new coach.

Upon the recommendation of SPASH football coach Pete McAdams, Chryst invited Ramczyk to make an official visit to the University of Pittsburgh.

After agreeing to check out the Panthers, the former all-state lineman had cold feet. He looked at Winona State, then skipped a year of football.

The Badgers’ gain will be a big loss for the Pointers, albeit one not entirely unexpected.

“It’s been my dream to play here and I have a chance to achieve my dream, it’s there in front of me and I took the opportunity and ran with it,” Ramczyk said.

“It’s a really big deal, I’m proud of myself with how far I’ve come already,” he added. “I still have a lot of work to do, but hopefully I can earn a starting spot next year and the year after that.”

— Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or on email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill