LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM) — Chad Ryland has had to earn his place every step of his football career, and now hopes to earn a spot in the NFL. The Cedar Crest grad looks to hear his name this weekend in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ryland made a name for himself this past season as a graduate transfer kicker for Maryland making 19-of-23 field goals. He holds the Terps school record for highest field goal percentage (.826) by a kicker with more than 20 attempts.
In December, Ryland knocked through all three field goals attempts in Duke's Mayo Bowl win over #23 NC State, making a 42, 33 and 45-yarder. He also became the first kicker in program history with two 50-yard field goal makes in a game. His 53 and 52-yarder against No. 4 Michigan on the road turned heads in the special teams world.
A talented soccer player in high school, Ryland's dad, Todd, encouraged Chad to try kicking for Cedar Crest's football team. After two seasons of high school Friday night lights, Ryland became a preferred walk on at Eastern Michigan.
The Lebanon native holds the Eastern Michigan record in career PATs made (141), PATs attempted (145), career points scored (309) and single-game record with five FGs made in 2021 vs. Western Michigan. He connected on 56 field goals, ranking second in Eagles history.
The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29. You can watch the 2023 NFL Draft live on abc27 throughout Thursday to Saturday.
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