Pottsgrove grad Ryan Bodolus named first team All-American at Ursinus

COLLEGEVILLE >> The final chapter of a local family’s football story has reached its happy ending.

Ursinus senior defensive end Ryan Bodolus was named a NCAA Division III First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) earlier this week, punctuating a remarkable career for the Pottsgrove graduate.

Bodolus is the first Bear to earn All-American honors since 2001 when Ursinus had a pair of players, running back Shearrod Duncan and defensive back Mike Dale, earn the honor.

The All-American recognition came off the heels of a first team All-Region selection from D3football.com. Bodolus’ selection was the first time since Chris Rountree in 2012 that a Bear was a first team All-Region selection.

“Ryan plays at one speed – full speed,” said Ursinus head coach Peter Gallagher. “Every rep, whether it’s in practice, games, it does not matter. He does not know how to play any other way but all-out, full speed.

“You look at Ryan’s numbers, they’re impressive, but it doesn’t even show that some of those plays are him coming from the other side of the field to take down a quarterback, a running back. That’s a result of his tenacity and relentless play.”

Bodolus capped his decorated career at Ursinus by topping all his previous career best statistical numbers while establishing himself as one of the top pass rushers in the country. Bodolus led the Centennial Conference and tied for sixth in NCAA Division III with a career-high 12 sacks, which helped him become Bears all-time sacks leader at 33 after surpassing the previous record of 27 that was held by Frank Hennessey.

His 20.5 tackles for a loss were tops in the Centennial Conference and tied for eighth in Division III. He totaled 66 tackles (36 solo), three forced fumbles, plus one fumble recovery.

Bodolus earned All-Centennial first team honors for the second straight season and earned All-Centennial honors in all three seasons on the team. He also became the first Bear since Greg Martell in 2011 to be named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Bodolus came to Ursinus as a sophomore following a stint at Dickinson. Prior to college, the son of Dave and Diane Bodolus was a record-setter at Pottsgrove.

Ryan was the 2018 Mercury Player of the Year award at Pottsgrove, as his 75 tackles and 18 quarterback sacks were instrumental in the Falcons’ most recent District 1 championship season.

But after two years at Dickinson College, he transferred closer to home to play at Ursinus, where his father Dave excelled in the 1980s. Dave Bodolus still holds the Bears’ single-season record for sacks with 17 takedowns in 1986.

Ryan Bodolus immediately recognized he was a better fit for the Ursinus culture. “I felt like I received more feedback from the coaches,” he recalled. “After a couple practices, they gave me a chance to play.”

The culture at Ursinus was a better fit for Bodolus, a workout warrior going back to his days at Pottsgrove, where younger players sought his advice in the weight room.

“Guys staying after practice, putting in the time to get better,” he said. “It’s the biggest thing, especially in the offseason – that’s something my Dad and older brothers instilled in me.”

Dave Bodolus coached at St. Pius X from 1995-2001 and later at Daniel Boone from 2003-2011, where Ryan’s older brother Tommy was Mercury Player of the Year in 2011. Ryan referred to Dave as “a coach at home” and credited his Dad in addition to Peter Gallagher, plus Pottsgrove head coaches Rick Pennypacker and Bill Hawthorne for their contributions to his success.

“I’ve had some great position coaches as well – Coach (Steve) Devlin (Ursinus’ defensive coordinator), as well as Coach Jake Menard and Coach Chris Lampart, and my defensive coordinator at Pottsgrove, Bill Bradford,” said Bodolus. “I’ve been very fortunate, being part of many winning seasons and great football teams, and none of it would be possible without great coaches and teammates.”

Bodolus is preparing to graduate from Ursinus with a degree in Accounting before going into full-time work at RSM in Blue Bell. He says he can see himself getting back into football coaching in the future once he’s settled into his career.

Asked for highlights of his playing career, Bodolus’ response reflected his gratitude for the opportunities he’s made the most of.

His high school highlight involves a game that’s likely memorable to many in the Pottsgrove community. “It was a playoff game my senior year, against Bishop Shanahan,” he recalled. “It was raining, just a mess, a total Mud Bowl.”

Bodolus racked up a blocked extra point, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a game-clinching strip sack as the Falcons survived, 14-13.

For college memories, Bodolus mentioned a couple of memories, one particularly satisfying from a personal standpoint.

“I set the single-game sack record my junior season at Ursinus,” he recalled. “I had six sacks in that game.”

The opponent? Dickinson College, his former school.

“Setting that record against them was a great feeling,” he admitted. “Their head coach had told me I wasn’t good enough to start there, so recording six sacks in one game against Dickinson was something I’ll never forget.”

The other memory revealed more of Bodolus’ love for the game, the fun side of football. “I had an interception against Lycoming my junior year and took it all the way to the four-yard line,” he laughed. “My teammates make fun of me for not scoring on that play.”

Bodolus got the final laugh in his last game.

The defensive standout moonlighted as a tight end on offense at Pottsgrove and carried that ‘part-time’ role into his college days.

“Last game of the year, I was in on the goal-line package,” he said. “We practiced this play for three years where I act like I’m blocking and sneak out into the flat.

“We finally called it, and I was finally able to get a touchdown in college.”

In fact, there’s only one accomplishment that eluded Bodolus – that single-season sack record at Ursinus. He finished 2023 with a dozen sacks – still a little short of the school record of 17.

But at least the honor remains in the family.

“That’s the only record I really cared about breaking,” he said of his dad’s school record. “And I was on pace for a while and fell a little short at the end of the season.”

But All-American honors and numerous other accolades – including the 2023 Philly Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA) Academic All-Area Football Performer of the Year Award – provide a climactic ending to almost 40 years of Bodolus family memories in local football.

“I hadn’t really thought about (being the last in my family),” said Ryan.

“But when I do think about it, next year’s going to be weird, not having football for anybody. My mom and dad, they’re at almost all of my games. Football means so much to my family.”