The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Football: Gibbons activated by Jags

By Nate Owen

Ryan Gibbons, a standout in the football trenches during his time at Northeastern, was recently added to the active roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Gibbons, who graduated in 2006, was signed by the Jags as a free agent several days after the NFL draft last April.

He was then assigned to the practice squad, where he remained until being activated for the final two games of the Jags’ season, a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots Dec. 24 and a 35-30 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Dec. 31. Donning number 72, the 6-foot-6-inch, 318-pound left tackle failed to see any game action.

Gibbons is a native of Marshfield and attended Marshfield High School, where he lettered twice in football and was named most improved lineman his senior year.

He continued to improve his play at Northeastern, starting 36 of 46 games. After redshirting his freshman year and splitting time the next season, he started all 12 games in 2003 and was named to the All-Atlantic 10 third team.

That year he helped Northeastern set school records in points per game (34.5), first downs (245) and total yards (5,182).

Gibbons was voted to the All-Atlantic 10 third team again in his junior campaign, as he anchored an offensive line that allowed just 16 sacks all season.

His senior year he was awarded the Chris Midgett Memorial Award for Lineman of the Year at Northeastern and was named to the New England Football Writers Association All New England team.

He also received first team All-Conference honors in the Atlantic 10 and was selected to play in the first annual Magnolia Gridiron Classic in Jacksonville, Miss.

Head coach Rocky Hager, who coached Gibbons in 2004 and 2005, praised him for his consistent and steady play, which he said is key for an offensive lineman.

“[He] had toughness and grit, the perfect demeanor for a tackle,” Hager said.

Hager said Gibbons will likely be assigned to an NFL Europe team this summer to gain more experience and return to Jacksonville’s training camp to battle for a spot on the roster.

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