Not only is Ryan from Lebanon, Ohio, he has OSU football in his blood.

Ryan’s father Bill and his uncle Joe were both football captains at OSU. Unlike his dad and uncle, though. Ryan didn’t have a scholarship to play here.

Lukens didn’t have to try out to make the team, but still had to work harder than the guys who had scholarships.

“I came in as a preferred walk-on so I necessarily didn’t have to try out,” Lukens said. “After practice [scholarship players] get free meals, and you have to go home and make your own food.”

Over the years Lukens has been able to adjust to not receiving monthly checks and having to work harder to prove himself.

“As it goes through the years, [being a walk-on] is not that different, you feel like your part of the team,” Lukens said. “It’s really not that bad, you got something to prove every day.”

Lukens worked hard to get to be where he is today. He came into OSU as a linebacker until he made the switch to fullback last fall. Lukens competed for a starting spot this year but found himself second on the depth chart.

Lukens never quits and always tries his best, and his teammates can see that.

“Lukens is one of the hardest workers,” said senior player-coach Jon Skinner. “To get playing time his senior year, he has to work really hard for that, it’s a great experience that’s really hard to do for a lot of guys.”

The hard work has paid off for Lukens both on and off the field.

In his career at OSU, Lukens has seen significant time on the field, been a part of three Big Ten Championship teams, played in two National Championship games, and has graduated from OSU and is now in graduate school.

“Playing football here gets you prepared for life,” Lukens said.

Lukens credits the coaches at OSU with what he has learned.

“The coaches are just as worried about us becoming a better man than a better football player,” Lukens said.

That doesn’t mean Lukens didn’t have good experiences on the field.

“The memories of the football field are definitely there, I’ll always be able to relive the best days of my life,” Lukens said.

When Lukens isn’t spending time on the football field or making his dinner, he does enjoy watching movies and being a college student.

“I like funny movies, ‘Step-Brothers’ is a good one.”

Matt Lang can be reached at [email protected].