Ex-Badgers star Ryan Ramczyk awaits life-changing NFL draft

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Ryan Ramczyk wrestled with the decision for more than a month. He hemmed and hawed about what to do from the time of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in early March.

Both options had a special appeal.

The Stevens Point native embraced the notion of watching the NFL Draft at the end of April among family and friends in his hometown, where he could share home-cooked food and cold beverages in the company of his parents, Randy and Lori Ramczyk, as they waited to hear his name called.

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Then again, how often are you invited to be a guest of the National Football League at one of its signature events during the calendar year? As one of the top offensive line prospects in the draft, Ramczyk could receive the red carpet treatment at the event in Philadelphia scheduled for April 27 through April 29.

"I decided to attend the draft," said Ramczyk in a telephone interview from California earlier this month. "I'm going to bring my parents, sister and girlfriend, Plus a few more relatives are going to come and be part of the crowd."

A 2012 Stevens Point Area Senior High graduate, Ramczyk feels fortunate to have a choice like that to make.

When the NFL kicks off the regular season in September, it's a virtual lock the athletically gifted, unassuming, blue collar kid from central Wisconsin will be on some team's roster, and likely in the starting lineup.

Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus lists Ramczyk as the top offensive tackle prospect in the 2017 draft and one of four linemen expected to be chosen in the opening round April 27. In his mock draft on April 21, Rob Rang of CBSSports.com had the SPASH alum going No. 20 to the Denver Broncos.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Ramczyk will be able to refer to himself an NFL player by the end of the month.

"It's really tough to put into words. To be drafted by the NFL is really special and a once in a lifetime experience," he said. "It's something that's in the back of your mind (growing up). I wanted to chase that dream to play in the NFL, but it didn't really hit me that it was really a possibility until late into this past season."

In his only season playing against Division I competition, the junior left tackle earned first team All-Big Ten Conference accolades and was named a consensus first team All-American.

Still, in NFL front offices questions remain of whether Ramczyk is worthy of first-round consideration. He has heard them throughout the pre-draft interview process. Is he a one-year wonder?

Then there are the medical concerns. Ramczyk has been unable to participate in the physical drills at the Combine or individual workouts with teams after undergoing surgery Jan. 5 for a torn labrum in his right hip.

Ramczyk is quick to put any questions about his health or draftability to rest.

"I'm really close to 100 percent. My physical therapist says I'm ahead of schedule. I'm doing explosion moves like coming out of my stance and kick steps. I'm confident I'll be able to go with no hesitation for OTAs and training camp, and be even better (physically) than before," Ramczyk said.

"I competed at a very high level at a Division I university and put together a real good year. I think my film speaks to that point. I showed I had what it takes to compete at the highest (college) level."

His former football coaches are in his corner. None of them are surprised Ramczyk has a future in the NFL.

"When you have the talent, the desire (to reach your full potential) is the primary factor to how far you'll go," said SPASH coach Pete McAdams, who watched Ramczyk develop his first three years with the Panthers.

"Since Ryan's time at UWSP, I believe his desire to play in the NFL has grown stronger each year. He took advantage of the opportunity he had at Wisconsin. I know that his success there helped him realize the possibility of playing in the NFL."

Not many 6-foot-6, 315 pound offensive linemen exhibit the type of athleticism Ramczyk put on film throughout his time at first UW-Stevens Point, and then Wisconsin.

Blessed with nimble feet and uncanny balance, long arms and strong hands, he provided a fortress for Badgers and Pointers quarterbacks. Defensive ends and linebackers found getting around him an act of futility. Ramczyk allowed just one sack at Wisconsin, per Pro Football Focus.

UWSP coach Tom Journell, who noted he has been contacted by six or seven NFL front office officials concerning Ramczyk, witnessed those rare athletic and personal qualities during Ramczyk's freshman and sophomore seasons with the Pointers in 2013 and 2014.

"When he came back to Point (after leaving Winona State), Ryan was driven. He knew he had an opportunity to play at a high level," Journell said. "He loves the game and he's really good at it. He was dominant at our level and he was dominant at the Division I level.

"He goes through the agility ladder like a highly-skilled receiver, defensive back or running back. He's genetically gifted and he's worked really hard to polish those genetics."

Ramczyk admits the past three months have been a whirlwind. There were team interviews and medical checks at the combine, followed by team visits in April.

Where his next stop on his football journey winds up being remains to be seen. The litany of mock drafts circulating on the Web, along with prognistications from talking heads on ESPN and the NFL Network have a handful of landing spots for him in the first round.

Among the teams expected to be looking for OL help early in the draft are Denver, the New York Giants, Indianapolis, Seattle and the Los Angeles Chargers.

Ramczyk noted he made six or seven pre-draft visits with NFL teams, including a recent trip to the Houston Texans, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. He refused to name which teams he visited.

He doesn't care who winds up drafting him.

"It's been difficult not to think about (the draft). I can't wait until that day (I'm drafted) comes," Ramczyk said. "This is a huge time in my life."

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or by email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill

The Ramczyk Bio

2016: First-team All-America (consensus) ... first-team All-Big Ten (consensus)

Notable: Transferred to Wisconsin in 2015 after two seasons at Division III UW-Stevens Point ... initially enrolled at Division II Winona State in 2012 but did not compete ... took classes at Mid-State Technical College after leaving Winona State and before enrolling at UW-Stevens Point ... selected for 2017 NFL Scouting Combine

2016 Season: Earned first letter, starting all 14 games at left tackle on way to consensus first-team All-America honors ... anchored offensive line that helped Badgers rush for 203.1 yards per game ... ranked as season's top run blocker among FBS tackles by Pro Football Focus ... allowed just one sack and eight total pressures in 14 games, per Pro Football Focus