Ryan Ramczyk Bio
Ryan Mack Ramczyk, born on April 22, 1994, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is an American former professional football player who spent his entire eight-year career as an offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and playing at approximately 142 kilograms, Ramczyk earned a reputation as one of the most reliable tackles in the league during his prime years. He played college football for the Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers and the Wisconsin Badgers before being selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, he earned multiple All-Pro selections and became a cornerstone of New Orleans’ offensive line.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Mack Ramczyk grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he attended Stevens Point Area Senior High School. At SPASH, he developed into a promising football talent and earned First Team All-State honors from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association in 2011. His performance that year earned him an invitation to the 2012 WFCA All-Star Game in Oshkosh, further establishing him as one of the top high school linemen in the state.
Following high school, Ramczyk originally turned down a scholarship offer from the University of Pittsburgh under first-year head coach Paul Chryst, opting instead to enroll at Winona State, a Division-II program in Minnesota. However, he left Winona State before the football season began, leading to a winding educational path. He spent one semester each at Madison Area Technical College and Mid-State Technical College in Stevens Point, continuing to develop his skills away from the major college spotlight.
Path to American Football
Ramczyk’s path toward a major college football career began in 2013 when he transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, an NCAA Division III school. His former high school coach had joined the football staff there, making the transition smoother. In what was technically his freshman season, Ramczyk played in all 10 games and was named Second Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The following season, he earned First Team All-WIAC honors, signaling his rapid development as a lineman.
When Paul Chryst, the coach who had previously recruited him at Pittsburgh, became head coach at Wisconsin–Madison, Ramczyk reached out and decided to transfer to the major program. After sitting out the 2015 season due to NCAA transfer rules, he was named the starter at left tackle for 2016, succeeding Tyler Marz. That season, he was named First Team All-Big Ten on November 30, 2016, cementing his status as an elite prospect heading into the NFL draft.
Ryan Ramczyk Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Ryan Mack Ramczyk’s early football career featured a steady climb through smaller programs before reaching the highest level of college football. At Wisconsin–Stevens Point, his consistent play and physical development earned him All-Conference recognition in back-to-back seasons, which drew the attention of larger programs. His transition to Wisconsin–Madison marked a turning point, as he stepped into a starting role for a top-tier Big Ten program and immediately made an impact.
During the 2016 season, Ramczyk earned First Team All-American honors, becoming one of the most decorated offensive linemen in the country. His combination of size, technique, and football intelligence made him a projected first-round pick heading into the 2017 NFL draft, and analysts widely regarded him as the top offensive tackle available.
NFL Breakthrough (2017–2019)
The New Orleans Saints selected Ramczyk in the first round, 32nd overall, of the 2017 NFL draft. The pick used to draft him was acquired from the New England Patriots in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Ramczyk made his NFL debut on September 11, 2017, in the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, starting at left tackle. That start made him the first Saints rookie to open a season at left tackle since Jim Dombrowski in 1986. He started the first four games at left tackle before moving to right tackle following an injury to Zach Strief, finishing his rookie year with 12 starts at right tackle and earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
After the 2018 season, Ramczyk was named Second Team All-Pro, his first such recognition. In 2019, he elevated his game further, earning First Team All-Pro honors at right tackle after allowing zero quarterback sacks throughout the entire season. That performance placed him among the elite offensive linemen in the league, and he was ranked 82nd by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020.
New Orleans Saints Era (2020–2025)
In 2020, the Saints exercised Ramczyk’s fifth-year option, and he responded by starting all 16 games and earning Second Team All-Pro honors. On June 30, 2021, he signed a five-year, $96 million contract extension with New Orleans, which included $60 million in guarantees, reflecting his value as a franchise cornerstone. During the 2021 season, he appeared in and started ten games, and in 2022, he started all 16 games, continuing his role as a reliable presence on the offensive line.
Ramczyk’s playing time became more limited in 2023, when he appeared in and started 12 games. On July 18, 2024, he was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list after undergoing knee surgery during the off-season. On April 17, 2025, Ramczyk announced his retirement from professional football, closing the book on a career spent entirely with the New Orleans Saints.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Ramczyk’s career came during the 2019 season, when he allowed zero quarterback sacks en route to First Team All-Pro honors. His selection as the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 draft, acquired through a trade with New England, also stands as a significant organizational moment. In 2021, his five-year, $96 million contract extension highlighted his standing as one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the league.
Ryan Ramczyk Career Wins
Ryan Mack Ramczyk’s professional resume is highlighted by consistent individual recognition rather than championship trophies. Across his eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints, he earned First Team All-Pro honors in 2019, Second Team All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2020, and a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2017. His college career included First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2016, as well as First Team All-WIAC recognition in 2014 and Second Team All-WIAC honors in 2013.
Ryan Ramczyk Family
Personal Life
Public details about Ryan Mack Ramczyk’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not widely documented in verified sources. His close connection to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he grew up and attended multiple schools, has remained a central part of his identity throughout his football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the end of Ryan Mack Ramczyk’s professional football career. After being placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list in July 2024 following knee surgery, his status for the upcoming season remained uncertain. On April 17, 2025, Ramczyk announced his retirement from the NFL, concluding an eight-year tenure with the New Orleans Saints that began with the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 draft.
His departure leaves a lasting legacy in New Orleans, where he served as a model of consistency and durability at the offensive tackle position. The Saints’ offensive line will move forward without one of its most respected leaders, while Ramczyk transitions into life after football following a career highlighted by multiple All-Pro selections and a landmark contract extension.