Minnesota Duluth Mourns Death of DL Reed Ryan, 22

The two-time FCS national champion at North Dakota State entered cardiac arrest after a team workout.

Reed Ryan, a 22-year-old defensive lineman for Division II program Minnesota Duluth, died Tuesday, the university announced Tuesday evening.

“Our staff and players are devastated about Reed’s passing,” Bulldogs coach Curt Wiese said in a university statement. “Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for the people around him. We were fortunate to have Reed on our team, and he made our program, our department, and our community a better place in a short period of time.”

Per his obituary, Ryan collapsed following a team workout on Nov. 21 and entered cardiac arrest as the result of an undetected congenital heart condition.

Described by his family as “[living] life to the fullest in his short years,” Ryan played four years at North Dakota State before transferring to Minnesota Duluth. The Waunakee, Wis. native won two FCS national titles with the Bison, and played in eight games for a 9–2 team in 2023.