#17 Ryan Nienhuis
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Grade: 12 |
Captain – Ryan Nienhuis (6-1, 175) is the top returning two-way player for the Eagles entering the 2003 campaign and is enjoying an outstanding season. The senior is coming off a strong junior season where he started both ways catching 17 passes and collecting 59 total tackles in earning All-Serra League Honors. A great athlete with a good grasp of both the offensive and defensive schemes, Ryan saw reps at quarterback against Redlands and continues to make major contributions on special teams.
2003: Ryan caught a career-high six passes for 73 yards and collected nine tackles at Mater Dei in Week 10. Caught a team-high four passes vs. Loyola in Week 9 and added six tackles. Ryan earned Defensive Player of the Game honors for his 11-tackle, one-fumble recovery effort against Servite in Week 8. Also caught three passes and rushed once for four yards. Nienhuis was an all-around contributor at St. John Bosco starting at QB (36 yards on 11 carries) playing solid defense (five tackles) and special teams (returning three punts). Ryan had another solid outing in the Bishop Amat game returning punts 26 and 27 yards, breaking up a pass and rushing once for 16 yards. Earned Special Teams Player of the Game honors. Nienhuis contributed in all facets of the Eagle victory over Trabuco Hills in Week 5 as he completed one of two passes for eight yards, caught three passes including two touchdowns covering 28 and 36 yards, returned one punt 14 yards and made four tackles. Ryan caught a team-high three passes for 37 yards, registered six tackles and broke up two passes including an interception he returned 44 yards vs. Fountain Valley. Nienhuis recorded six tackles and broke up his team leading fourth pass of the season against Long Beach Jordan in Week 3. Ryan set a school-record with an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown at Redlands in Week 2. He also had two receptions for 14 yards, two rushes for 14 yards and 4 tackles. Nienhuis enjoyed an outstanding game vs. St. Paul in Week 1 as he collected an interception, broke up three passes, recorded three tackles and returned two punts for 62 yards including a 43-yarder. Has 55 total tackles and seven passes-broken-up this season.2002: Finished sixth on the team with 59 tackles in his first year as a starter. Caught a career-high four passes at Servite in Week 7. Caught a career-best 57-yard touchdown pass at Trabuco Hills in Week 5 where he also returned an interception 29 yards. Picked up a career-high nine tackles and broke up a pass at Fountain Valley in Week 4. Set the temple with a spectacular 45-yard reception against Redlands on the first play of the game to help lead the Eagles to a 38-14 win. Ryan registered eight tackles in the El Modena, Dorsey, Servite and Loyola games. In the Loyola game he also collected his first career sack. On the year, he also had one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to go along with a 11.8 yard punt return average.
Misc: Earned his first varsity letter in 2001 contributing on special teams and as a defensive back and receiver. Ryan has an impressive 3.74 GPA. Nienhuis is a member of the Speed and Power Eagle Clubs. Can run the 40 in 4.5 seconds, and can power clean 235 pounds.
