2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ryan Boehm, DE/OLB, Cal Poly

• Name: Ryan Boehm
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 270lbs
• Position: DE/OLB
• College: Cal Poly
• Twitter: @RyanDanielBoehm

What is the best restaurant in your hometown city? 

•Definitely this little hole in wall, all you can eat korean barbecue restaurant. 

When breaking down your film what will stick out?

•I believe people will notice my relentless effort in pursuit of the ball, with that a lot of chased down screens and tackles from the other side of the field.

If you won the lotto, what is the first thing you would do with the money?

•I’d put most of my money towards helping my family, with however much is left I would invest it.

What has been your biggest failure?

•Not bringing a Big Sky title to Cal Poly yet. Still one more year to change this though.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

•Dedication. Whether it’s staying extra to watch more film, or doing an extra workout, I am always willing to do more to improve my game because it is something that I’m dedicated towards.

Who is the hardest working teammate on your team?

•Matt Shotwell, who is also my roommate is a tremendous hard worker. He plays Linebacker here at Cal Poly and is killing it on and off the field.

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?

•Not while I’ve been in college, however back in the Pop Warner days all my teammates would call me Bam Bam because of how hard I hit. As I got older the nickname evolved with me, and eventually my teammates would call me Bam because it only took one hit.

What is your degree in, if you do not make it as a football player, what is your dream job?

•Political Science. If I don’t make it as a football player, my plan is to attend law school and achieve a law degree. With that I hope to become a sports agent, to still incorporate sports into my career.

What is your coolest life moment?

•Probably when I received my first offer back in Junior year of high school. It showed me that with hard work and dedication, anything is achievable. It was definitely a surreal moment, knowing I was one step closer to my aspirations of playing professionally.

What song would you sing at Karaoke night?

•You could catch me singing every word of any Drake song. 

If you could pick any actor to play you in a movie, who are you picking?

•Ryan Reynolds 

Who is your favorite football team?

•Pittsburgh Steelers

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

•CAUTION: Genius in Work

What is your biggest fear?

•Being average.

Who is the most underrated player in the NFL?

•Being a die hard Steelers fan, I could be a little biased but I would have to say Bud Dupree. Although he’s finally been gaining the attention he deserves. His work ethic and pass rush skills are truly admirable.

Take us through game day, How do you prepare?

•Wake up early and have breakfast. Then drive to campus and make sure all my game day stuff is laid out and ready in my locker. We usually have a team prayer, lunch, and then some walk throughs. Then I get taped and then as a team with the band we walk down to the stadium. Throughout the entire time you can catch me listening to throwback Drake and Lil Wayne.

Do you have any hobbies?

•I love to workout, read, and something that many people don’t know is that I love to build computers.  

If you had to compare yourself to someone in the NFL, who would that be?

•It’s hard to compare myself, but I think Everson Griffen has a lot of traits that I try to copy in my game. My favorite pass rush move is the stab club and that’s a move that Everson Griffen excels at. In pass rush, I find myself more as a finesse player that can switch it up at times with power just like Everson Griffen. In the run, I find myself emulating his sideline to sideline speed with my pursuit of the ball.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

•Hands down my dad. Majority of my life it was just him taking care of me, my brother, and my sister. He has to make a lot of sacrifices and works long hours to make ends meet for my family. That’s why I am in the position I am today, because without everything he has done for me, I wouldn’t be here.

What motivates you to work hard?

•On top of wanting to take care of my family, it would be just the pure love of the game. I love football unconditionally. Everything about it from the long summer days filled with grinding to post win locker rooms. It’s a remarkable feeling that one could only understand if they’ve played the game. The relationships you create with coaches and teammates to life lessons that are applicable not only on the field but off the field. Why wouldn’t someone want to keep playing football? I’m trying to play until I have to be carried off the field!