AT ILLINOIS
2012: Transferred to Illinois in August 2012 and was immediately eligible to play due to NCAA sanctions against Penn State ... However, did not see any action in 2012 ... Was put on medical in Spring 2013 due to concussions.

AT PENN STATE
2011: Redshirted the 2011 season.

High School: Ranked as the No. 31 prep tackle in the nation by Rivals.com ... Helped Cactus High School to a 10-2 record in his senior year ... Two-time first-team Class 4A-II All-State selection ... Member of the Arizona Football Coaches Association (AzFCA) All-State Top 25 ... Named first-team 4A All-Region and first-team 4A-II All-State by the AzFCA, and 4A-II all-state by Scout.com as a junior in 2009 ... High school coach was Larry Fetkenheir.

Personal: Full name is Ryan Christopher Nowicki ... Son of Christopher and Wendy Nowicki ... Born February 26, 1993, in Elgin, Ill. ... Has a brother, Zachary, and two sisters, Brittney and Taylor ... Father played football at Purdue and an uncle, Charles Nowicki, played football at Ohio University ... Enjoys working out and spending time with friends ... Is interested in a career in hospital management.

updated 6/2013