FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons today agreed to terms on a six-year contract with first round draft choice quarterback Matt Ryan. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Ryan was the third overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Following a stellar career at Boston College, Ryan emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate while earning ACC Player of the Year honors as a senior. The Golden Eagles finished eighth in the nation in total offense last year as Ryan established school records for 400-yard passing performances in both a career and a season while tallying 4,507 passing yards.
Ryan completed 807 of 1,347 passes for 9,313 yards and 56 touchdowns in his Golden Eagle career. His career completions and attempts set school records while his passing yards and 59.9 completion percentage both rank third in the school’s all-time record book.
Of the Division I-A quarterbacks in this year’s draft who started 24 or more games, Ryan won 76.5 percent of his 34 starts while recording a 3-0 record in bowl games.
The deal comes less than a month after the NFL Draft and quicker than teams signed rookies from a year ago.
No NFL team signed its first round choice before July 3 last season (Greg Olson,Chicago). The Falcons last top pick, defensive end Jamaal Anderson, signed on July 26 of last year.
Ryan is the second first-round pick to sign on the dotted line this season following No. 1 selection Jake Long (Miami). The St. Louis Rams selected Virginia defensive end Chris Long with the second overall pick.
Ryan will meet with the press at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Video will follow soon after on AtlantaFalcons.com.
MORE ON MATT RYAN FROM MINI CAMP:
- NOTEBOOK: Ryan happy to have first practice in books | Quotes
- VIDEO: May 10 | May 12
MORE ON MATT RYAN FROM DRAFT DAY:
- NEWS: Falcons select Ryan third overall | Quotes
- FEATURE: First-round picks embrace the A-T-L
- JERSEY: Get your Matt Ryan jersey at Falcons365
- VIDEO: Combine Interview | Highlights
- FEATURE: AF.com preview on Ryan, quarterbacks
- WIKIPEDIA: Matthew Thomas "Matt" Ryan
- NFL.com: Matt Ryan Profile
- YOUTUBE: Matt Ryan leads BC on their final drive to beat the Hokies
- YOUTUBE: Meet Matt Ryan (We are BC)
- YOUTUBE: Matt Ryan Highlights
- YOUTUBE: Matt Ryan for Heisman: Boston College vs. Miami
- YOUTUBE: Matt Ryan for Heisman: Boston College vs. Bowling Green
- YOUTUBE: Matt Ryan for Heisman: Boston College vs. Notre Dame
- NEWS: Ryan to be on cover of EA Sports game
