Ladera Ranch native, former UCLA OL Sean Rhyan ready for NFL Draft

LADERA RANCH, Calif. — Following an impressive campaign at UCLA, homegrown Ladera Ranch talent Sean Rhyan is taking the next step to the National Football League (NFL). Leading up to his big moment at the NFL Draft, Rhyan showed off his skills at the NFL Combine.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” says Rhyan, referencing the Combine. “There’s what you see on TV, and then what actually goes on. It just started right from the jump…then the next thing you know, you’re on a plane to go back and train.”

From what fans and analysts could see on TV, Rhyan has great potential at the next level. The 6-foot-5, 321-pound tackle is expected to move to the inside on the offensive line, to offensive guard. While his pure size might turn heads, Rhyan’s remarkable athleticism is also clearly evident. He led all offensive linemen with a 33.5-inch vertical jump, and his initial 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash showcased his explosiveness at just 1.79 seconds.

Rhyan is finding the transition from college football to professional league prep much easier than expected. Rhyan spent most mornings training at UCLA from about 6 a.m. until noon. Then, as a student-athlete, Rhyan and his teammates would attend class until 5 p.m. before returning to the practice facility for more training and meetings.

Now out of college, Rhyan explains, “It’s different. In college, you have both school and football to worry about, but the professional career of football opens up more time for you to focus solely on your body and training.”

While he needed to balance school and football at San Juan Hills High School (SJHHS) as well, Rhyan also split his time between multiple sports. Playing rugby and baseball his entire life, Rhyan did not add football until his freshman year of high school at Capistrano Valley Christian School.

Once he transferred to SJHHS his sophomore year, Rhyan added shot put to his resume. In his three-year high school shot put career, Rhyan racked up several awards, including three-time SJHHS MVP Field Athlete, three-time Sea View League Shot Put Champion, 2019 Orange County Champion, 2019 Southern Section Division 1 Shot Put Champion, and finishing third at the 2019 California State Championship meet. Initially recruited for both UCLA’s football and track and field programs, Rhyan decided to focus on football and left his track and field training behind with his name in the SJHHS record books with the school record for shot put at 63 feet 3½-inches and discus at 155 feet 5 inches.

In all his success, Rhyan remains a humble inspiration to local kids. Returning to SJHHS whenever there’s an opportunity, he tells the next generation, “Have fun! You can’t be afraid to try new sports, see what you like, and you might find one you’re really good at.

“And listen to your parents once in a while,” Rhyan adds, “because most of the time, they’re telling you something for a reason.”

Watch for Sean Rhyan–and the iconic hair he’s been growing out since high school–as he takes the next leap in his football career. We’ll all know where he lands after the NFL Draft wraps up on April 30th.

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.