The University of Minnesota Duluth has announced that senior defensive lineman Reed Ryan passed away on Tuesday in Duluth.

Ryan was 22-years-old.

“He was a guy that lived every day with a smile on his face and wanted to be a good football player and a good student and a good teammate,” said UMD Head Football Coach Curt Wiese. “His intent was to make sure that everybody around him get better, and that’s just the kind of human being he was. He was a kid that would always stop by your office, stop in the hallway, stop his teammates and truly ask, How are you doing?”

Wiese said that Ryan had collapsed on November 21 while working out in the weight room.

He was taken to Essentia Health immediately where he spent the week.

Unfortunately, Wiese said that Ryan passed away around midnight Tuesday night.

“Our staff and players are devastated about Reed’s passing,” said Kurt Wiese. “Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for the people around him. We were fortunate to have Reed on our team, and he made our program, our department, and our community a better place in a short period of time. Reed will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on forever. He was the epitome of a UMD Bulldog, and what we can all aspire to be. To his family, thank you for allowing us to be part of his inspiring young life. Reed was a Bulldog through and through.”

Ryan was a Wisconsin native and graduated from Waunakee High School in 2019.

He was honored with 2018 Tim Krumrie Award, given to the most outstanding high school senior defensive lineman in Wisconsin, as well as being named the  2018 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Large Schools Defensive Player of the Year.

UMD stated that Ryan had recorded seven tackles and assisted another for a total of eight tackles this past season.

“Reed had a positive impact on so many and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” said UMD director of athletics Forrest Karr. “Reed was a kind, caring and thoughtful young man who enjoyed bringing people together. He grew up in my hometown and was beloved by those who knew him in Waunakee, Fargo, Duluth, and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with Reed’s family and friends during this time of sorrow. We are grateful for everyone who is supporting Reed’s teammates and our staff members.”

Reed Ryan was a donor, making sure to help others even after his passing.

“He was a really good teammate. And, you know, it’s that’s what’s part of that’s tough, I think, for us,” said Wiese. “To make sense of a tragedy like this of somebody as young and healthy as Reed but his impact will be just the kind of person and teammate he was. And to always be true to you who he was, you know, I think that is something that all of us will remember Reed Ryan by.”

A memorial wake for Ryan will be held on Friday night, December 1, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Blackhawk Church at 5935 Astor Drive in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 

Ryan’s funeral will be held Saturday, December 2 with a wake at 10:00 a.m. that is followed by an 11:00 a.m. service at Blackhawk Church.