Ryan Montalvo '18 Recruiting Profile

I started playing football when I was 7.  My dad played and I needed something to do with all my energy so I started playing flag football. I’ve played ever since.  I had the opportunity to play on our varsity team as a freshman.  We are a LL school with over one hundred players and here I was starting as a middle linebacker.  I didn’t realize the impact playing varsity would have on me until after my first game.  I was surrounded by juniors and seniors playing against one of our hardest opponents and we won by only 3 points.   From that point forward I knew this was going to be a special time in my life and I had to stay present and enjoy every minute of it.  I had a lot to learn and my senior teammates helped me harness my passion for the game and my team and turn it into great football playing.  We won a state championship that year, which was awesome. The next year we went into the semi-finals the underdog and we were losing miserably.  At halftime, I could see the team needed a boost,  so I got up and belted out a speech to get our  team motivated for the second half.  I left it all on the field that day even though we lost.  Three years of so many exciting football events have defined me as a player.  I’ve experienced winning,  losing, injury and comeback.   I look forward to having my best season yet as a senior.   

My strength is my love for my teammates who I treat all like brothers.   I learned the meaning of team work, obligations and commitment.  I strive to prove myself, watch and learn every day.   My family is a huge part of my football life.  My dad is on the field crew and my little sister is a “water assistant”.   My mom works team dinners for over 100 players.   Being part of a large team I’ve seen many players who do not have as much support as I do. It makes me appreciate what I have.  

I am looking for a school that is a good fit for me athletically and academically.   I want to be able to have a career and having a college education will set me up for future opportunities when I hang my cleats up.   I am excited to experience college life, being more independent and playing football at the college level.