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Wisconsin All-American OT Ryan Ramczyk leaving early for NFL
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The B1G’s best offensive lineman is going to the NFL.
Wisconsin All-American offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk told the USA Today Network that he plans to leave school early and declare for the NFL draft.
Scott Williams of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin has been informed by UW OT Ryan Ramczyk he is declaring for the NFL Draft.
— Scott Williams (@Spjscottwill) January 10, 2017
Ramczyk then confirmed that news with a post on Tuesday morning:
— Ryan Ramczyk (@RyanRamczyk1) January 10, 2017
There was uncertainty about Ramczyk’s decision because of a hip injury he played through for most of the 2016 season.
He had the surgery on his torn labrum on Jan. 5, which could sideline him for the next four months. That would rule out him competing at the scouting combine, which runs from Feb. 28-March 6 in Indianapolis.
It remains to be seen what that would mean for Ramczyk’s draft stock.
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Ramczyk has been projected as a first-round pick, and possibly the first offensive tackle off the board in this April’s draft. That came after a breakout season in which Ramczyk anchored the left side of Wisconsin’s line.
The former Division III UW-Stevens Point transfer became a one-year wonder for the Badgers, starting in all 14 games, including a Cotton Bowl victory.
With the news of Ramczyk’s departure, that means Wisconsin lost its two All-Americans early to the NFL. Fellow breakout star T.J. Watt announced his intentions to leave Madison early, as well.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Jan. 16.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.