University of Connecticut Athletics
Ryan Van Demark Embraces Leadership Role on O-Line
2/7/2020 2:43:00 PM | Football
With the departures of Matt Peart, Nino Leone and Cam DeGeorge, UConn's offensive line, which used to be the most experienced group on the team, now looks very different. One guy that is still there is left tackle Ryan Van Demark, and he will have to step up into a new role this year.
Van Demark, who has played in all 36 games of his UConn career to this point, will need to become a true leader of the team as a senior, but he definitely seems up to the challenge.
"It doesn't change anything," Van Demark said. "I've really had the same attitude and mindset for the last three years. So with those guys gone, it gives me more of an opportunity to grab the team by the horns and put them in the direction I want them to go."
"I haven't won a lot of games since I've been here, and I think it builds a lot of character," Van Demark said. "Coming in and out after losing a game, it builds character for me. I know how it feels. I know what hard work it takes to get it done."
Van Demark is now more motivated than ever to shift the narrative in his final season in Storrs.
"I hope to win every game on the schedule," Van Demark said without hesitation. "My teammates, my offensive line, they agree with me in that. My main focus right now is to get everybody on the same track, everybody on the same page so we can win every game on the schedule."
Van Demark said the season really starts with these five weeks of spring football.
"We got a bunch of new kids here, a bunch of new kids who want to get after it, so we're just working to get better every day," Van Demark said. "It's very important for the new kids that came in to finally get a taste of their first college football. And for many more kids to get acquainted to the offense or defense and know what they're doing."
The main goal for the 6-foot-6-inch Wayne, New Jersey native this spring is to continue to improve every part of his game, including the fundamentals. He models his game after Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan, one of the best lineman in the NFL.
It is often said that left tackle is the most important position in football because he is tasked with protecting the quarterback's blind side. But Van Demark believes that the offensive line can't function properly unless everybody does their job well.
"Every position is the most important because I can't do my job without the guard, and I can't do my job without the other three on there," Van Demark said.
Van Demark said he has a lot of confidence in the younger guys stepping up on the o-line this season. As their new leader, Van Demark said he learned a lot from the guys ahead of him, especially Matt Peart.
"Matt played a great Senior Bowl and he's gonna get drafted," Van Demark said. "So just learning from Matt … and taking tips from him, it's just cool to have him as a friend."
Van Demark has been a consistent presence on the offensive line throughout his career, and he has the work ethic and mentality necessary to be a great leader of that squad.
And his favorite part of being an o-lineman?
"I like to hit people," Van Demark said. "There's no better feeling than just staring at a guy and putting him into the ground."
He'll be looking to do that to defensive ends at an accelerated rate in his final season.
