Football: Ryan Van Demark Snubbed by NFL Combine
Van Demark was a steady, integral part of the UConn football team for the four years he was a starter. He impressed many personnel at the Shrine Bowl, from the first practice to the game.
In 2019, Van Demark helped the UConn offense total 344.7 yards of total offense per game. In prior years, he helped the offense average over 300 and 400 yards of offense in a season. Van Demark’s success over the four years with the UConn football team propelled him to the opportunity to attend the East-West Shrine Bowl.
In 2021, along with defensive lineman Travis Jones, Van Demark was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, where they also had success.
Though he had major success during this opportunity, he did not receive an invite to the Combine. Leading up to the Shrine Bowl, the odds were not in Van Demark’s favor.
“Between the tweaked ankle after the fourth game, Army I think, and the toe issue and being out with COVID, he didn’t play as well as he could have,” said Van Demark’s mother, Marianne Van Demark.
Ryan Van Demark is not down and out, however. He was healed and ready to go in the Shrine Bowl, which is why he played much better. The deadline for NFL Combine selections happens in December, so it was too late for Van Demark to get an invite.
However, that does not take away from the success and the attention he got during the Shrine Bowl. It will be almost impossible to not be interested in the UConn offensive tackle.
“He’s still working in Florida and will be up for the month of March so hopefully he does great on Pro Day,” said his mom.
