University of North Carolina Athletics
Sims Credits Carolina, Bunting
March 27, 2002 | Football
March 27, 2002
by Kevin Best
Assistant Athletic Communications Director
First he forgot his shoes. Then he forgot his T-shirt. On the third attempt to leave his house, Ryan Sims got it right. All packed up, he rushed to the Kenan Football Center afraid he was going to be late for Carolina's Pro Timing Day on Tuesday. Instead, Sims arrived 15 minutes early and no one was there.
"Obviously, I was kind of nervous," Sims said. "I kept having to go back to my place to get my stuff. But once I got there and we got going, I settled down. It was a good day and I hope I did well enough to impress the scouts."
A near certainty to go in the first round, Sims is listed by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper among the top 15 picks in the league. Several scouts on Tuesday said privately that he might be drafted as high as eighth by the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I think I'm the best defensive tackle available, and that's not taking anything away from the other guys," Sims said. "I'm confident that I can do the job, but it's not my decision to make. I'm just happy that I'll have an opportunity to play in the NFL."
A three-year starter at defensive tackle, Sims certainly has left an impression on the Carolina fans since arriving on campus in 1998. From his first day of freshman practice, Sims stood out for his athleticism, determination and work ethic.
He was one of four true freshmen to play in 1998 as the Tar Heels looked to fill the void left by Vonnie Holliday, who had been drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers following the 1997 season. Perhaps because he was a freshman and an unknown commodity, teams overlooked the 6-4, 291-pounder as he posted 51 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks - all outstanding numbers for a defensive tackle.
Throughout the next three seasons as a starter, Sims continued to mature and develop as one of the league's top defensive linemen. He was second among defensive tackles in sacks as a junior and in 2001 he earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and honorable-mention All-America honors.
Last season, Sims capped Carolina's remarkable turnaround with a stellar performance in the Peach Bowl victory over Auburn, putting on a nationally-televised performance that made pro scouts suddenly realize the potential in Carolina's other defensive lineman. Shrugging off blockers with ease, Sims constantly found his way into the Auburn backfield registering six tackles and two sacks. He was named the bowl's defensive MVP.
A quarterback in high school, Sims originally didn't want to play. Told he would most likely be a scholarship player only if he changed to defense, Sims finally decided to give it a shot in his senior year at Dorman High School in Spartanburg. Once the coaches came calling with scholarships, Sims wanted to go somewhere with a defensive tackle tradition.
"Carolina was a great choice for me," he said. "I wanted to play defensive tackle when I got here. I saw they had seven or eight guys go pro (at defensive tackle) back-to-back-to-back. I said, 'I want to be a defensive tackle.' It paid off in the end."
Despite playing for two different coaching staffs, Sims credits North Carolina and head coach John Bunting with making him the person and player that he is today.
"Carolina has helped me become a great person," he said. "I've met a lot of cool people here. It's the best college in this country. I love it, and I hate to be leaving. But it's like my rite of passage in becoming a man and a football player. I've really enjoyed being here.
"Coach Bunting is someone who has been there (NFL). He played 13 years. He's got a Super Bowl ring. He's coached the best defenses in the NFL. That speaks for itself. He's got an ACC Championship ring, so whatever he tells you, it's going to be the truth. It meant a lot to me to have somebody like that. The first time I met him, he pulled me in his office and told me he expected great things out of me. To have a coach like that, with credentials like he has trusting you to lead his team, that meant a lot."
And those are things Sims will never forget.
