Monte Vista High

Ryan Whalen, class of 2007, earned varsity letters in both football and basketball. In his senior football season, he caught 80 passes for over 1,200 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Ryan was named first team All-EBAL, All-County, All-East Bay, and All-Metro by the San Francisco Chronicle. He was also named Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In his senior basketball season, he served as Team Captain and led his team to its first North Coast Section Championship. He also was named All-State, one of the Top 10 football/basketball players in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, All East-Bay, All-Alameda County and EBAL Player of the Year. Ryan was also runner-up for Times Athlete of the Year.

 

Ryan attended Stanford University on a football scholarship and was a four-year varsity letter winner playing under Coach Jim Harbaugh. He was a three year starter and led the team in receiving his sophomore, junior and senior season, finishing his career with 140 catches, 1884 yard and 7 touchdowns.. He was an Honorable mention All-Pac 10 selection following his junior season, and earned second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors. Ryan also served as a Team Captain his senior season, in which Stanford went 12-1, winning the Orange Bowl and attaining the best record in school history. 

 

Ryan was drafted in the 6th round, 167th pick of the 2011 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He played 3 full seasons with the Bengals and finished his career in 2016 after brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings (2015) and San Francisco 49ers (2016).