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Vanderbilt Adds 25th Football Recruit 3/2/2005 Texas Lineman Ryan Vance Inks Letter-of-Intent NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ryan Vance, a two-year starting lineman from surburban Houston, Texas, has signed a scholarship to play football at Vanderbilt, becoming the 25th member of the Commodores’ 2005 recruiting class. Vance, 6-3, 272, played offensive and defensive tackle at Episcopal High School, a powerful private school located in the Houston community of Bellaire. During his senior season, Vance served as a team captain for the Knights. Vance becomes the fifth offensive line prospect included in the signing class. He is also the third Texan to join the incoming class of freshmen. Episcopal Head Coach Dick Phillips said Vance’s potential on the football field is unlimited. “Ryan was an excellent player for us and has the potential to be a really good college football player. Ryan has really good temperment on the football field, and will get after it with the best of them,” Phillips said. During Vance’s three varsity seasons, Episcopal went 19-8 overall, going 8-1 during his junior season. He played on the offensive line as a sophomore, and became a two-way starter at tackle for the Knights during his junior and senior seasons. Phillips, who mentored 2004 Texas Tech senior All-Big 12 offensive tackle Daniel Loper at Episcopal, said Vance’s strongest asset was his agility and quickness. “Ryan’s an outstanding drive blocker who has excellent agility and foot quickness for his size. He helped pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher his senior season,” Phillips said. In the past year, Vance also has become a devoted weightlifter. Working with Houston trainer Cederick Johnson, Vance has pushed his maximum bench press from 275 to 425 pounds in the last 12 months. |
