Meeker anxious to tackle a new challenge at UK

WHEELERSBURG — Ryan Meeker might not be someone to issue a double dare challenge.

The Wheelersburg Pirates’ senior football standout signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Kentucky Wildcats and he made it clear he has something to prove.

“Being able to play for something greater than myself, especially with a school like Kentucky, is really special to me,” said Meeker. “I want to prove to my family and friends and the community of Wheelersburg and show it’s possible to come from a small town and be great.”

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Meeker was a first team Southeast Ohio All-District selection in Division 5 and was voted the district Lineman of the Year. He said his success at the high school level could be traced back to his early years of playing football.

Meeker began playing pee wee football and said he just fell in love with the sport. But when he reached the seventh grade it was during COVID and Meeker fell ill and had to remain back in that grade.

“It was a struggle, but I came back and I haven’t regretted it since,” said Meeker.

Meeker has also played baseball for the Pirates, but he made the decision to make football his main priority and that move has proven to pay dividends.

“I did baseball my freshman year and decided to stick with football and focus on football,” said Meeker. “Football made me grow so much as a person. My coaches have taught me how to act and not just play football. Show respect, work hard, earn what you work for. It’s more than a sport.”

Kentucky offensive assistant coach Mark Perry — the team’s NFL liaison and director of high school relations — was the first to reach out to Meeker.

“Coach Perry came down and we had a good talk and we ended up texting after that. He watched my film and they said they loved it. They showed it to their O-Line coach and they said they loved it. It’s been back and forth ever since. I went down there two times now and I absolutely loved it,” said Meeker.

First-year head coach Will Stein hired Cutter Leftwich as the Wildcats’ offensive line coach and Meeker said he has been impressed by the entire new staff.

“I see a lot of energy and a lot of knowledge. It’s not just a bunch of guys who like football, they know football. They’re going to coach it the right way,” said Meeker.

The Pirates’ standout lineman is expected to play center initially but there is a crack in the door that he could be used on the other side of the football.

“They said it’s O-Line for right now but I could move to D-Line eventually if they need it. But it’s O-Line,” Meeker said,

Not only is Meeker looking ahead with excitement, he reflected on his past in the Pirates’ program and the relationships among the senior class and their commitment toward last season when the team went 15-1 and finished as Division 5 state runners-up.

“The senior class is the closest class I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t want to deal with anyone else. They’re great. I’ve grown up with them. They’re like brothers to me,” said Meeker.

“Just working the whole offseason we had just one goal and that was to do better than we had before. We had fallen short the past three years, so we wanted to keep pushing and get better everyday.”

Meeker plans to major in engineering or construction management.