2009
Served as defensive co-captain in ill-fated season shortened by severe upper chest injury… Started first two games of the season at safety, extending consecutive start streak to 34 games… Suffered arm injury early in LSU game that was later diagnosed as torn pectoral muscle… Played entire quarter against Tigers with the chest injury… Forced out of uniform after surgeons repaired pectoral injury… Traveled all season with team, continuing duties as captain and serving as a coach to less-experienced defender… Contributed seven tackles, including an assisted tackle for loss, in two games… Ended career with 222 total tackles, including 139 solo stops, and five interceptions in career that featured 36 starts.
2008
Produced a career year from his free safety position, forming one of the strongest safety tandems in recent team history along with senior co-captain Reshard Langford… Set season highs in total tackles (104), tackles for loss (4.5), interceptions (4) and fumble recoveries (3) during the regular season… Ranked second on defense in total tackles and third in solo tackles (51)… Started every game in the Commodore secondary, running consecutive start streak to 32 games, fourth most on the team… Also ranked among the SEC Top 10 in total tackles… Performed consistently throughout the season, contributing at least five tackles in 12 of 13 games… Had at least 10 tackles in four games, topped by a career-high effort of 16 stops against Tennessee… Put together one of the finest defensive games ever by a Commodore in victory at Ole Miss, contributing three interceptions, a fumble recovery and six tackles… Three picks against the Rebels matched a Commodore single-game record… First interception, returned 79 yards for a touchdown, came with Vanderbilt trailing 10-0 and Ole Miss driving deep in Commodore territory… Final pick sealed the road win… Also had a huge fourth-down tackle that ended a Rebel threat at the Vanderbilt 1-yard line… Effort against Ole Miss earned Walter Camp Football Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors… Followed Ole Miss game with 10-tackle performance in win over Auburn… Also played outstanding game in Commodore victory over Boston College in Music City Bowl, contributing six total tackles and an interception. Added pair of tackles for loss, including a QB sack, in Vanderbilt[apos]s midseason upset of Auburn… Aided victory over South Carolina with eight tackles, forced fumble and fumble recovery… Posted 13 tackles and fumble recovery against Florida… Earned or shared team Defensive Player of the Week recognition after Rice, Ole Miss and Florida games.
2007
Started every game at strong safety, developing into one of team[apos]s top defensive performers… Forms solid safety duo with three-year starter Reshard Langford… Set season high in virtually every defensive statistical category in second year as starter… Finished the year third on team with 48 solo tackles… Ranked fourth on team with 68 total tackles while contributed 3.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, a forced fumble, recovered fumble and five defensed passes… Consistent performer throughout season, contributing at least three tackles in every game… Opened campaign with career-high seven solo tackles in victory over Richmond, earning team[apos]s Defensive Player of the Week honor… Duplicated the honor in season finale with seven-tackle and one forced fumble performance vs. Wake Forest… Played superbly in Commodore upset victory at South Carolina, aiding a strong defensive effort with six solo tackles, a fumble recovery and QB sack… Broke up two passes in win over Ole Miss and in narrow loss to Georgia… Ended season in strong fashion, providing at least four solo tackles in each of the [apos]Dores final six games.
2006
Played every game at safety as a redshirt sophomore, earning nine starting assignments, including final seven games of season… Formed part of a solid, hard-hitting safety duo with two-year starter Reshard Langford… Concluded season as one of defense[apos]s top tacklers, posting 36 solo tackles (T-4th on team) and 43 total tackles (7th on team)… After losing starting job to senior Ben Koger early in season, returned to develop into a steady performer late in the season… Breakthrough outing came at Georgia, as six-tackle effort in upset win earned team[apos]s Defensive Player of the Week honors… In last two games, contributed career high of nine tackles, including a tackle for loss, at Kentucky and six solo stops versus Tennessee… Played Played virtually the entire season with painful foot ailment… First career interception, which came deep in Vanderbilt territory, helped fuel comeback against Florida.
2005
Redshirted as freshman… Impressed as safety during fall practices.
High School
Two-year starter at safety… Started at WR as junior, moving to TE as senior… Contributed 77 solo tackles, five interceptions and two sacks as senior, along with making 17 catches for 297 yards and three TDs… Safety play earned AAAA All-State recognition from Pennsylvania Football News, All-Area honors from the Philadelphia Inquirer and All-Conference selection… Nominated for the Pennsylvania-Ohio Big 33 All-Star Classic… As junior, achieved 86 tackles, five interceptions, three sacks and four forced fumbles as junior… Serves as captain and starting forward of varsity basketball team at wide receiver.
Personal
Ryan J. Hamilton… Son of Kevin and Debra Hamilton… Has three sisters and a younger brother… Dad is partner in Philadelphia investment firm… Dad also played collegiate football as a quarterback at the U.S. Naval Academy… Has volunteered with several Philadelphia-area activities through SHARE program… Also has worked with local Special Olympics effort.
Council Rock North Head Coach Mike Ortman
‘Ryan was definitely one of our top leaders and players. He[apos]s a guy with good size and speed who is extremely intelligent regarding the game. ‘Ryan has been a leader by example for our team, and one of the hardest workers on our squad. As a safety, he arrives to the football with a lot of impact.’