Class of 2026, Archbishop Hannan High School

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Ryan Rist embodies the multi-sport athlete every program looks for when searching for strength, intelligence, and upside. As a 6’2”, 185 pound Strong Safety from Archbishop Hannan High School, Rist has physically, mentally, and academically checked every box — on and off the field.

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On the football field, Rist had an impressive season on defense, tallying 65 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries, proving himself a ball-hawk who consistently makes plays in big moments. His size and football IQ allow him to play downhill in the run game and diagnose routes and coverages in the secondary. He plays with confidence, patience, and a sound understanding of every responsibility on defense.

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But what truly makes Rist special is his background in wrestling. He finished fourth in the state, which is the sign of true strength, leverage, conditioning, and mental toughness. All that strength shows up on Friday nights in his tackling form, finishing plays, and refusing to back down against opponents larger than him. There are very few athletes who understand body control and one-on-one matchups, and high-level wrestlers understand this unique skill set better than anyone — and Rist uses that to his advantage in every snap.

Then there’s Rist’s impressive resume outside the football field, too. Rist carries a 4.25 GPA and scored a 26 on the ACT, showing just how disciplined he is — in every area of his life. He plans on studying Sports Law at a university, showing impressive vision for a life outside of football — and a valuable life lesson: education truly does come first.

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Leadership also plays a special role in Rist’s development, too. Rist’s two older brothers, Patrick and Wade Rist, played for Hannan’s football and wrestling teams, so there’s no doubt where the bar was set early on for Ryan. Playing for Coach Soper also means much more than playing for just any head coach.

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“Playing for Coach Soper is like playing for a family friend, just because I’ve known him for so long.”

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That comfort level in the locker room translates on the field as Rist plays with confidence and accountability — completely buying into his teammates and coaching staff.

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With his impressive stats on the field, size, strength on defense, impressive wrestling background, impressive stats in the classroom, and impressive vision for a future outside of football, Ryan Rist is a name to remember for coaches across all levels of football in the long run. The more experience he gets on the field, the higher his ceiling becomes for both defensive performances and leadership opportunities for teammates.

‍Ryan Rist is a complete student-athlete and his best football season is right around the corner.