As more Packers fans discover Jake Ryan, some also discover their photo searches weren’t sorted by date.
When Ryan was selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of this year’s NFL draft, the comparisons to linebacker Clay Matthews were instantaneous.
Ryan played linebacker at University of Michigan, starting on the outside and moving to middle linebacker for his senior year. He also was a pass-rushing threat off the edge for the Wolverines, adding another similarity to Matthews.
However, some based their comparison on outdated images.
During his first three seasons at Michigan, Ryan also was known for having hair length paralleled only by former Michigan quarterback and current Jacksonville multi-purpose player Denard Robinson. Draft coverage included multiple video highlights of Ryan and his windblown shoulder-length locks, blazing by offensive tackles on his way to the quarterback. Those scanning for a new long-haired linebacker at Packers training camp will have a fruitless search.
After an ACL injury in his junior year, Ryan cut his hair and donated it. As a Michigan native, I noticed the new “do” while watching the Wolverines on television. Though, references by Wisconsinites in recent months referring to parallels between Ryan and Matthews usually mentioned the hair.
When I made my first-ever trip to Lambeau Field for the rookie camp on Saturday and took my first steps into the locker room, I located another Michigan guy getting used to his surroundings. Ryan sat alone at his locker as media and others occupied the oval room. I wondered if his isolation was at least partially due to Ryan not sporting a Thor-like look.
After an introduction, my first question to him was “How many people do you think can’t recognize you without the long hair?”
“I just couldn’t take care of it anymore,” he said while laughing. “That hair was a lot of work.”
Coach Mike McCarthy was one of the first to be somewhat surprised by Ryan’s appearance, though this was unrelated to follicles.
“He’s bigger than I thought he was in person,” McCarthy said. “I like that. He looks pretty natural inside.”
McCarthy’s comments during Saturday’s press conference seem to suggest Packers fans will have ample time to see the short-haired Ryan on the field this season.
“He’s picked it up clean and making the calls out there,” he said. “I think he has an opportunity to play inside.”
As McCarthy apparently could attest to, it’s evidently good to have a new guy from Michigan in town. On a coincidental note, Ryan’s last day with that long hair was also my birthday. That was not a coordinated effort.
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