Big Strides Since Big Spring
By: Caroline Lockwood
Updated: April 25, 2012
BIG SPRING -- Ryan Tannehill has made some big strides since his days in Big Spring.
Now, he is one of the most talked about players gong into the 2012 NFL Draft. But his passion and talent for football is something his parents Cheryl and Tim have seen coming for a long time.
"When he was a little boy, that was one of his main things in school," Cheryl Tannehill said. "It was 'I want to play football. When can I play football?' He just became more successful the more he played."
"He's committed to a goal that he set for himself, and he worked extremely hard to accomplish that goal," Tim Tannehill said. "He's got the possibility to go to the next level and possibly go pro."
Possibly go pro? That's putting it lightly. In fact, Tannehill is expected to be not just a first round draft pick, but perhaps a top ten pick. This defensive player, turned receiver, turned quarterback has shown he can pretty much play anywhere on the field, but it was his arm strength at Texas A&M that started turning heads. Now, he's considered the third best quarterback in the draft.
"He epitomized the definition of what a student athlete should be about," said Big Spring principal Mike Ritchey. "He put just as much time in the classroom as he did athletics."
The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are just a couple of the teams interested in Tannehill. In the end, his mom Cheryl does not care where her son goes, as long as he is happy.
"I just want him to go to a place where he can play and do what he wants to do and be successful where he is."
With his current track record, it may be safe to say Tannehill will find that success where ever he ends up.
Now, he is one of the most talked about players gong into the 2012 NFL Draft. But his passion and talent for football is something his parents Cheryl and Tim have seen coming for a long time.
"When he was a little boy, that was one of his main things in school," Cheryl Tannehill said. "It was 'I want to play football. When can I play football?' He just became more successful the more he played."
"He's committed to a goal that he set for himself, and he worked extremely hard to accomplish that goal," Tim Tannehill said. "He's got the possibility to go to the next level and possibly go pro."
Possibly go pro? That's putting it lightly. In fact, Tannehill is expected to be not just a first round draft pick, but perhaps a top ten pick. This defensive player, turned receiver, turned quarterback has shown he can pretty much play anywhere on the field, but it was his arm strength at Texas A&M that started turning heads. Now, he's considered the third best quarterback in the draft.
"He epitomized the definition of what a student athlete should be about," said Big Spring principal Mike Ritchey. "He put just as much time in the classroom as he did athletics."
The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are just a couple of the teams interested in Tannehill. In the end, his mom Cheryl does not care where her son goes, as long as he is happy.
"I just want him to go to a place where he can play and do what he wants to do and be successful where he is."
With his current track record, it may be safe to say Tannehill will find that success where ever he ends up.
