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Trench warfare Part II of III:
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For standing six feet, six inches tall and weighing 317 pounds, Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady has always done a good job of staying out of the public eye. At least he did until recently. Now it seems Clady is one of the most recognizable names on the Bronco roster – and not just because of he towers over most other players on the football field.
In four years at BSU, Clady, a redshirt junior from Rialto, Calif. has transformed from a ‘behind the scenes’ difference maker to a nationally renowned offensive lineman. Early this spring Clady was named to the Playboy Magazine All-America team – the first BSU player in program history to achieve such honor.
“I think it’s great,” Clady said about his recent honors. “It gives a lot of attention to BSU. It shows how we can and have become an elite program in the country. I think it’s great for me and BSU.”
His play on the field in 2006 helped lead the Bronco rushing attack, paving the way for Ian Johnson’s breakout Heisman campaign. In the process he earned second-team All-America status from SI.com and has been named to the Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi watch lists for the top college offensive lineman in the country.
Clady is being touted as a likely candidate to become the highest NFL draft pick in school history – once his career on the blue turf is finally over. More importantly for BSU fans, however, is the question of whether Head Coach Chris Petersen will be able to keep Clady in a Bronco uniform for his senior season, rather than leave school early for the NFL.
“It’s something that’s in the back of my mind,” Clady said about his ambition of playing in the NFL after BSU. “But obviously I’ve got to focus up on this season.”
And focusing is exactly what he’s been doing during the off-season.
“Run blocking is something you really can’t work on over the summer,” Clady said about his off-season preparation. “So I try and pass block and improve as much as I can on my footwork.”
Clady’s pass protecting abilities will be most appreciated by whichever new quarterback is selected to replace three-year starter Jared Zabransky. Combining the threat of Johnson on the ground and a veteran offensive line Clady is confident the Bronco passing game will flourish no matter who is throwing the ball.
Off the field Clady shrinks into a smaller version of himself. Perhaps he is avoiding the common stereotypes that come along with his jaw dropping proportions.
“Most people know I’m a BSU football player just off my size,” Clady said.
And how does he know?
“He must play football,” Clady quoted strangers as saying. “I get that a lot. I think it’s cool.”
By the end of a five-minute interview it is apparent there is a comical, easy-going side to the ‘gentle giant’. Both of which are qualities that most fans have never gotten the opportunity to see. His achievements on the field may always be overshadowed by a running back’s yards and touchdowns, but that doesn’t faze Clady much.
“It’s part of the job almost,” Clady said. “As an offensive lineman you aren’t going to get the [publicity]. You might lift Ian up and get a picture with him. That’s about all you can do.”
His fame may never reach super star status because of his position on the field. BSU fans know, however, who Ryan Clady is. And the rest of the world is starting to find out too.
Jake Garcin
