"Crafty Muscle with a Shooter’s Touch"

Rylan Woods

IG: @rylan_w3

6'5, Class of 2030

Bryan College, TN

Rylan attacks the rim with purpose, makes himself a strong target down low, and has the shooting touch to make defenders follow him outside. That inside-out combination gives his game a versatile edge, forcing opponents to respect more than his ability to finish near the basket. He's ready to get physical underneath, but leaving him open on the outside can be costly too. There's a fierce competitor behind those skills, with a determination to win that makes every chance to compete mean something.

His final season at Tellico Plains was filled with memorable wins and a run he believes belonged among the best in school history. Rylan averaged 21 points and 9.6 rebounds, helping the Bears reach substate before a heartbreaking finish ended their postseason. Beating Walker Valley was a huge moment, while taking down Tyner to reach the regional championship gave the team another win to remember. He also became the school’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing 2,100 points during his time with the Bears, and earned recognition as a Tennessee Class 2A Mr. Basketball nominee.

Rylan’s biggest improvement since last season has been his maturity with the basketball. He's become more willing to involve his teammates instead of trying to do everything himself, recognizing that sharing the ball can open more opportunities for everyone. That change goes beyond making an extra pass. It means trusting the guys beside him and understanding that a good possession can start with his decision even when somebody else gets the bucket.

Through his first five games as a freshman at Bryan College, Rylan averaged 7.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game, with one start. He shot 46.9% from the field, a blistering 60% from three, and 85.7% at the free-throw line. In his debut against Georgia Gwinnett, he had 9 points, followed by a double-figure game against Point and a season-high 12 against Freed-Hardeman, where he made every shot from the floor. Those early appearances have given him opportunities to contribute while learning the college game.

The adjustment has also tested him away from basketball. Leaving high school, getting used to college, and spending more time away from home have brought challenges that can't be be measured by a stat line. Rylan has had to settle into unfamiliar routines while finding his footing with a new team. The move has asked him to grow personally while competing against a different level of strength and experience.

His offseason focus reflected that personal growth, with time spent understanding who he wanted to become and studying basketball more deeply. Rylan wanted to understand the game beyond simply knowing how to score. The most underrated part of his game fits that growth because he can handle the ball and help run an offense when needed. Having that option gives a coach another way to use him instead of limiting his touches to the block.

When things get tough, Rylan wants his coach to know he can provide a basket and help lift his teammates’ confidence. He understands that encouragement matters when shots stop falling or frustration begins to build. His goals include earning freshman of the year honors in his conference and letting God’s light shine through whatever he does. That faith goes with a fierce desire to win and the feeling he describes as being a dawg, giving him a fire that makes competing hard something he loves.

Rylan can make a smaller defender pay when he gets a good matchup inside, and a bigger defender has to be ready to move his feet when he steps away from the basket. That gives him a chance to attack whoever is guarding him instead of settling for what that defender wants to give up. Getting him involved early can force opponents to show how they plan to guard him, giving Bryan a chance to find something he can go back to when he needs a good possession.

Rylan's potential is sky-high, and he has a strong foundation to build from at the college level. Being ready when his number gets called will give him chances to turn a promising start into a bigger role. The expectation is for him to become someone the Lions can turn to in meaningful games as he continues proving himself. Stay turned.