COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ryan Flynn in Gator Bowl for Maryland

The former Cardinal Mooney player is an offensive tackle for the Terps.
By BOB BOURBON
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Ryan Flynn, a 20-year-old from Youngstown, is looking forward to going to the Gator Bowl with the University of Maryland football team.
A 2000 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, where he was a two-time All-Steel Valley Conference choice as a tight end and was selected to play in the Big 33 All-Star Game, he has since made the switch to offensive tackle.
Agreeable
"He did not balk when asked to switch," said Maryland offensive line coach Tom Bratton.
"Flynn brings leadership and character to the playing field and plays very well for a youngster," Bratton added.
While Flynn admits to an up-and-down start to his college career, he has learned to "focus on the task at hand," he said.
Flynn gives credit to his high school coach, Don Bucci, as well as his father, Thomas Flynn, the former baseball coach at Mooney, for whom he played first base.
Bucci called Flynn the "hardest-working tight end" he ever coached.
Bucci recalled that during scrimmages, when starters face off against backups, Flynn would always insist on going up against starters, "so he could become a stronger, more talented player."
Flynn is preparing for the Terps' (9-3) Gator Bowl game against West Virginia (8-4) on Jan. 1. Maryland won nine of its last 10 regular-season games.
Flynn also spent part of the season recovering from a minor knee injury that cost him four weeks of possible playing time.
Flynn reminisced about Maryland's 2002 team, for which he played in all but the first game, saying, "It was a great team."
He added, "This year's team has a lot left to prove."
He mentioned the 10 pounds he put on after last season, and spoke of a "good group of guys" coming back next year.
Flynn plans on beginning his off-season workouts in January.
"I'll prepare the same way I do now and let the chips fall where they may for next season," he said.
Time factor
Flynn also mentioned an equally-important challenge, that "you have to budget time to study and practice. The team puts a high priority on studying."
While travel can be difficult, the Terps keep the routine the same for home and away games.
"We stay in a hotel the night before every game," Flynn said. "Going to the airport the day before away games is about the only difference."