2025 Season ending interview with Ryan Taylor from Rocky River High School and College of DuPage commit

 

 Ryan Taylor

Rocky River High School, Rocky River

2026

5’10 180

Jersey Number: 6

Awards won or earned: 2nd Team All-Ohio, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Conference, Conference Offensive POY

HUDL LINK: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/25855848/68acd95e5b3012a2c9c70bbf

Other sports played: Lacrosse

Please post something from last season that sticks out to you. It can be from a game, practice, or something funny on the bus ride to or from the game. Any moment that sticks out to you.

The send-off we got going to the regional finals. The town came out, with the police and fire department escort, something I’ll always remember.

What was the high point of the 2025 season?

Going deep into the playoffs and proving everyone wrong

What mark do you feel your class left on the football program?

We were the first class in school history to make it to the regional finals. I think we set the standard for others to follow, and I think the upcoming classes can go even farther.

What are you going to miss the most from playing football for Rocky River High School?

The preseason and going to camp at Mt. Union

What were your feelings as you walked off of the field for the last time as a member of the Rocky River football team?

I felt like there was more I could’ve done but also felt accomplished because we did a lot better than the previous seasons.

When we last spoke, these were some of the goals you set. Stay healthy. 4,000 passing, 35+ TD's, 70% comp., 5,000 yards+ offensively, and 5,000 yards+ as a team. 4 receivers over 750 yards receiving. How did you do with these?

I say I did pretty well with these. We did get over 5000 yards as a team. Threw for over 3000 yards with 67% passing. Was close for total yards with 3900+. I missed two games, so I might have been closer. We had 2 receivers, Tristin Hughes and Rowan Kennedy, with over 1000 yards, and one, Danny Berg, with over 900.

Which win meant the most in your career?

Beating Buckeye in the playoffs at their field. We lost to them twice before, and no one thought we’d win.

Which loss stung the most?

Losing to Toledo Central Catholic in the regional finals. We were the only team in Ohio, besides BW, that hung with them and still believe we could have beaten them. Just made too many mistakes. But it showed the younger players what needs to be done to win a state championship.

What makes you a good teammate?

Lead by example and always encourage and support my teammates.

What was the best part of the recruiting season?

Meeting other players at camps or visits and talking about how their recruitment and season are going or went

Do you feel that the transfer portal in college is making it more difficult for high school players to get recruited by top players?

I think it has, but not everything is going to be easy no matter what happens. People are going to get better and older and keep making it harder for HS kids to get to big schools or even smaller ones. That just means you have to work harder to get what you want and look for different ways to reach your goal.

Could you share with the readers some of the colleges that recruited you?

For football, colleges that recruited me were small D2, NAIA, and D3 football schools, but most were schools with both lacrosse and football, like Tiffin, Dean, Vermont St, and Webber.

What made you choose College of DuPage?

I choose the College of DuPage because of the winning culture and the development environment that the football team has. And the lacrosse program is up and coming with some great players. But also from a schooling aspect, I’m going to study art, and their art program is great, and I’m being in Chicago. A JUCO will give me an edge when transferring to a four-year school.

What is your favorite type of music?

Country

What is a style or fad that your generation has that you really do not get?

6 7

If you could sit down and have an hour to talk to any athlete, present or past, who would you talk to?

Lamar Jackson—football or Miles Jones -Lacrosse, both beasts in their sports—lacrosse both beasts in their sports

 

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