Can Gabe Ryan Complete His Walk-On Journey? | WVU Football All 105

All 105 is a West Virginia Sports Now series profiling each member of the 2026 WVU Football Roster.

Rich Rodriguez got a late start to roster building during the 2025 season, his return to Morgantown after close to two decades away from the program. After fleshing out his roster with a bevy of junior college transfers, Rodriguez continued to make changes on the eve of the regular season.

One of those changes was the addition of current senior Gabe Ryan, who walked on in August 2025 after winning a pair of all-state nods at West Virginia’s Keyser High School. Unranked as a high school recruit, Ryan decided to continue his academic career as a Mountaineer… then decided to roll the dice and walk on with WVU Football as a junior.

If he can make it on the field for senior day this year, expect a rousing cheer from the home crowd.

60 • Gabe Ryan, senior defensive lineman

Last Year: A surprise addition to the Mountaineers’ roster, Ryan walked on in August 2025.

Stats: N/A

Post-Camp Outlook: The Mountaineers have 16 players listed on the defensive line, so Ryan would face an uphill battle to playing time even as a relative newcomer to Division I football.

Projected Role: Expect some senior day snaps for Ryan as he concludes his college career with his home state’s flagship team.

Accolades, Highlights: Ryan earned a pair of first-team all-state nods on the defensive line in Class-AA; he also won the shot put in West Virginia’s state championship meet.