Ryan Slager
Linebacker
Grinnell College

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

 

Ryan Slager:  At the National Bowl, I was 5’11 ¾ and weighed at 212.  I was around 220 during the season.  I came in a little light.  Scouts timed me last year after the Iowa State pro day at 5.0 in the forty.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where will you be training for the NFL Draft?

 

Ryan Slager:  At Grinnell College after winter break with my coach.

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?

 

Ryan Slager:  I went to a school in the suburb of Chicago.  I made a ton of tackles.  They weren’t keeping stats, but I would assume that I had a record at my high school.  Senior year, there were plenty of D-III programs that showed interest.  Holy Cross also showed a little interest.  They sent me a letter my junior year.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Grinnell College?

 

Ryan Slager:  It was the best school for education.  They contacted me pretty late in the process in February or March.  Defensive coordinator coach Martinez came out.  I had no idea about Grinnell College.  I went for a visit.  I had a good time.  I realized that student athletes on the team were intelligent.  I could get a good education.  They helped me financially.  I could start from day one.  I am a history major and I will graduate in May.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall experience at the National Bowl all-star game.

 

Ryan Slager:  I had a great time.  I loved the weather in Florida.  It is cold in Iowa, I loved being down South.  The football part was outstanding.  We had a great defensive coordinator and linebacker’s coach.  We learned the plays and the blitzes.  The drills were really good.  It was an experience coming from a D-III.  I played NAIA and D-II players.  Best kids in the nation.  I did the drills, but I didn’t get as many tackles during the game.  I stepped up, relaxed and got used to a faster pace.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that weekend?

 

Ryan Slager:  Obviously, communication with the scouts.  It was the first time I had a chance to talk to scouts from NFL and CFL.  It is was the biggest take away.  It was a learning experience.  I learned the plays in two days.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Ryan Slager:  One of them is eye for the ball.  I am in on every play.  I know where the ball is.  I can take a hit.  I took a lot of hits from TE’s, RB’s and WR’s.  I will take you out if you get in my way.  I make great reads.  Communication put me in charge of leading the defense.  I am the biggest mouth on the defense.

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

 

Ryan Slager:  Speed and more muscle.  Especially the speed, I can work on it.  I also need to build muscle and get bigger.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career.

 

Ryan Slager:  I started all four years.  I made a ton of tackles.  I was getting my feet wet my first two years.  Our defensive coordinator likes to be aggressive.  I loved the defense.  It was a learning curve.  My freshman year, I was third in the D-III in average tackles per game.  I was number one my sophomore and junior years in tackles per game in D-III.  I was second in D-III as a senior.  We didn’t have too many wins.  We had four or five wins during my career.  We have 1,600 students at the school.  We had about 45 players at the school every year, which is a small team.  You need to have really good grades at the school.  ACT average needs to be 29 or 30 in order to get in.  GPA has to be 3.3 or above.  Those standards are spread to football players.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

 

Ryan Slager:  During my junior year, it was my last game of the season.  I had two INT’s, a sack and I stripped the ball for a fumble.  I almost had a pick six.  I returned it to the one-yard line.  Being number one for average tackles per game.  Breaking the overall record for tackles in D-III with a lot of my family members there.  We were playing against Lake Forest at home.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

Ryan Slager:  I love the Bears.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

Ryan Slager:  Brian Urlacher.  I wore his number.  He made a ton of tackles.  I grew up watching him play.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a LB?

 

Ryan Slager:  Make sure you lead the defense.  You are in the middle of everything.  You are the QB of the defense.  You are in charge of everything as the middle linebacker.  You are a team player and you put your guys in the right position.  I did that at Grinnell.

Alex Khvatov:  Which players on your team should we keep an eye on next season?

 

Ryan Slager:  Max Hill is a really fast receiver.  He has an awesome 40 time and great hands.  MLB Anthony Johnson learned the plays really fast.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced during your college career?

 

Ryan Slager:  A guy from Monmouth from the National Bowl.  #41 RB DeAndre Wright.  He did some damage.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

Ryan Slager:  I love hitting people.  You can legally hit someone as many times as you want.  It is the best part of football.  You take all of the anger out.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

 

Ryan Slager:  Fishing on the weekends.  We have a lake in town.  I also like to watch NFL with the boys.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football
career is over?

 

Ryan Slager:  Get into sales and marketing after football.  Some career in sales.  I am good at selling stuff.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have learned in life so far?

 

Ryan Slager:  My dad.  He always told me to never give up and fight for my dreams.  It is hard being a D-III guy.  You need to endorse yourself more.  But it was hard for me to get to get into Grinnell College because I didn’t have a great ACT score.  I got accepted in June.  I never give up on the play.  I keep going.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

 

Ryan Slager:  Leaders don’t just lead on the football field, they lead off the field.  You have to do your work in the classroom and be good socially.  You need to be doing the right thing and taking care of your business off the field.  On top of everything.

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

 

Ryan Slager:  Endurance, team player, loud, nice guy and respectful.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who will win the National Championship in CFB this year?

 

Ryan Slager:  Anybody beating Alabama and Clemson.  I want #4 Oklahoma.  I want new faces winning it.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who will win Super Bowl LIII in February?

 

Ryan Slager:  I will go with the Bears.  I believe it every year.  This year we have a great chance because of a great defense.