DeMeco Ryans DeMeco Ryans ( ; born July 28 , 1984 ) is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Alabama , and received All - American honors . He was chosen by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft , and was recognized as the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 . He was selected to two Pro Bowl s , before being traded to the Eagles in the 2012 offseason . Early years . Ryans was born in Bessemer , Alabama . He attended Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer , where he played high school football . In his senior season , he had 135 tackles , 11 sacks , two forced fumbles and two interceptions . Considered a three - star recruit by " Rivals . com " , Ryans was listed as the No . 39 inside linebacker prospect in the nation from the class of 2002 . He picked Alabama over Mississippi State . College career . Ryans attended the University of Alabama , where he played outside linebacker for coach Mike Shula ' s Alabama Crimson Tide football team from 2002 to 2005 . Ryans started his career by earning a role on special teams and back up linebacker in his first season . By making great improvements every year in his college career , Ryans went on to become the SEC ' s Defensive Player of the Year for his performance in 2005 . Later on , Ryans attributed much of his college success to his defensive coordinator at Alabama , Joe Kines . He was named the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic defensive MVP in their 13 - 10 win over Texas Tech . Following his 2005 senior season , he received the Lott Trophy for his combination of athletic excellence and off - the - field achievements , and was recognized as a unanimous first - team All - American . Professional career . 2006 NFL Draft . Ryans was selected with the first pick of the 2nd round ( 33rd overall ) in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans . He was the highest selected Alabama linebacker since Dwayne Rudd in 1997 . Houston Texans . Ryans began his NFL career in 2006 with the Houston Texans . Though he had been an outside linebacker in college , he earned the starting middle linebacker position due to his excellent performance in the preseason . In his first game he recorded a league - high 12 solo tackles . Ryans had an overwhelming impact as a rookie linebacker for the Texans , leading the team in tackles in the first half of the 2006 season . Many Texans fans began nicknaming him “ D - Wreck ” for his toughness and hard hits ; other nicknames included D - ROY , intended to promote Ryans for the NFL ' s Defensive Rookie of the Year award , and " Cap ' n Meco , " due to his status as a Texans team captain and in reverence of his tremendous professionalism and leadership both on and off the field . On January 3 , 2007 , Ryans was awarded the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award after finishing second in the league with 155 total tackles ( Zach Thomas 165 ) , 31 more tackles than the next rookie ( Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Sims ) . He received 36 of 50 votes by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters . Chicago Bears defensive end Mark Anderson , who was Ryans ' s teammate at Alabama , finished second with five votes . On December 18 , 2007 DeMeco Ryans was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time . Ryans wore the Texans ' defensive transmitter to relay plays from the sideline into the huddle . This meant he was an every - down player . On March 30 , 2010 , Ryans signed a 6 - year $ 48 million extension , including $ 21 . 75 million guaranteed . Philadelphia Eagles . On March 20 , 2012 , after Brian Cushing replaced Ryans as starting middle linebacker , Ryans was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2012 fourth - round draft pick and a swap of third - round picks between the two teams . Ryans was immediately inserted as the team ' s starting Middle Linebacker . On January 4th 2013 he had 10 tackles and his first career playoff interception in his first career playoff games with the Eagles .