Ryan Claridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rochester, Michigan, U.S.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | April 12, 1981 Rochester, Michigan, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 259 lb (117 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2000–2004) |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| NFL draft: | 2005: 5th round, 170th pick |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Ryan Quinlan Claridge (born April 12, 1981) is an American former professional football linebacker. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots in the 2005 season, but was released early during 2006 training camp. He played college football at UNLV and is currently the owner of Big Apple Bagels in Traverse City, Michigan, which he purchased in May 2022.
Claridge attended Almont High School in Almont, Michigan, and was a four-sport standout in football, tennis, basketball and track. In football, as a senior, he rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 27 touchdowns, was a first team All-Southern Thumb Association selection, was the League MVP and a first team All-State selection. He is the school record holder in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, having played three years on the varsity team. In basketball, Claridge was the team's leading scorer and rebounder during his sophomore and senior seasons (he missed his junior season due to injury). In tennis, as a senior, he was also a first-team All-State selection. In track, as a junior, Claridge qualified for the state finals in the high jump and was also All-Southern Thumb Association in the 100-meter dash and the high jump.
College and professional career
Claridge was recruited by College Football Hall of Famer John Robinson to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a linebacker for the Rebels football team. Claridge would play his entire eligibility at UNLV over five years, receiving a medical redshirt during the 2002 season due to a sports hernia.
Claridge was selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (170th overall) in the 2005 NFL draft.[1] Claridge would spend the entire 2005 season on the team's practice squad before being cut during training camp in 2006.