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DeMeco Ryans quickly asserted himself as one of the most respected head coaches in the NFL after being hired by the Houston Texans in 2023. Even then, the Texans didn’t need much of an introduction to Ryans.
Long before he began patrolling the sidelines for Houston, Ryans played for the franchise himself. After a decorated college career, the Alabama native was selected by the Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft and enjoyed several outstanding seasons with the team in the late 2000s.
Naturally, when Ryans emerged as a head coaching candidate in 2023, he was a seamless fit to return to the Texans, bringing stability, defensive prowess and leadership to the franchise.
Here’s everything to know about DeMeco Ryans’ playing career and his time with the Texans.
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Did DeMeco Ryans play in the NFL?
DeMeco Ryans spent 10 seasons in the NFL from 2006-15. He ranked among the best linebackers in the league at times, especially earlier in his career.
Ryans was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans, a highly-regarded linebacker prospect who was coming off an elite college career. Ryans had been an outside linebacker in college, but joined the Texans as a middle linebacker in his rookie season.
Ryans made an immediate impact for Houston, winning AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 13 of the 2006 season after totaling 15 tackles, three pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. He proceeded to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, finishing second in the league with 155 total tackles, 31 more than any other rookie.
From 2006-11, Ryans played for the Texans, including an All-Pro 2007 season and two Pro Bowl nods. He signed a six-year extension with Houston in 2010.
However, in March 2012, the Texans traded Ryans to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2012 fourth-round draft pick (became Ben Jones) and a swap of third-round picks (became Brandon Brooks and Nick Foles). Ryans remained a strong player in Philadelphia, leading the team in tackles in 2012 and 2013.
In November 2014, Ryans tore his Achilles tendon, ending his season. He returned in 2015 and appeared in 14 games, but with decreased performance, he retired in February 2016.
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What position did DeMeco Ryans play?
DeMeco Ryans played linebacker throughout his playing career.
That experience helped lead into his coaching career, as Ryans served as the 49ers' inside linebackers coach from 2018-20.
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Where did DeMeco Ryans play college football?
DeMeco Ryans played at Alabama from 2002-05 under head coach Mike Shula. The linebacker, who is from Bessemer, Alabama, committed to the Crimson Tide over Mississippi State.
Ryans became a defensive star at Alabama, winning the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2005. He also won the defensive MVP award in the 2006 Cotton Bowl, won the Lott Trophy in 2005 and was a unanimous All-American selection in his senior year.
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DeMeco Ryans NFL stats
Here's a look at Ryans' stats over his NFL career.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks | Passes Defended | Interceptions | Forced Fumbles |
| 2006 | Texans | 16 | 156 | 126 | 3.5 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | Texans | 16 | 128 | 99 | 2.0 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 | Texans | 16 | 112 | 86 | 1.0 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009 | Texans | 16 | 123 | 93 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | Texans | 6 | 54 | 32 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Texans | 16 | 64 | 44 | 0.0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | Eagles | 16 | 113 | 86 | 1.0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Eagles | 16 | 127 | 102 | 4.0 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | Eagles | 8 | 45 | 36 | 0.0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | Eagles | 14 | 49 | 32 | 0.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Career: | — | 140 | 970 | 735 | 13.5 | 41 | 7 | 7 |
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DeMeco Ryans NFL awards, accolades
Here's a full look at Ryans' accomplishments in the NFL.
- 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year
- 2007 Second-Team All-Pro
- 2x Pro Bowl (2007, 2009)
- 2006 solo tackles leader
- 2006 All-Rookie Team
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DeMeco Ryans coaching career
About a year after his retirement, Ryans entered the NFL coaching ranks, joining the 49ers as a defensive quality control coach in 2017. He quickly moved up the ladder.
In 2018, Ryans was promoted to inside linebackers coach, and in 2021 he replaced Robert Saleh as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator. He found significant success in that role and began receiving head coaching interviews that same year.
After the 2022 season, with Ryans’ 49ers defense ranking among the NFL’s best, he was named the Texans’ new head coach on a six-year contract. In his first season, Houston went 10-7, made the playoffs and won a postseason game.
The Texans have made the playoffs in each of Ryans’ first three seasons.
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