Name:

A.J. Ricker

KHS Class:

1999

College:

University of Missouri

Position:

Center

Height & Weight:

6' 4" & 300 lbs.

Achievements:

While leading Klein to the Texas State 5A playoffs and earning first-team all-state honors as a senior captain, Ricker quickly learned the thrills and drawbacks of playing on the offensive line. After registering 58 pancake blocks as a senior, Ricker departed Klein for the University of Missouri as a 265-pound freshman. Upon his arrival in Columbia, Ricker received his first taste of being a rookie on new turf, literally. Backing up an All-America offensive lineman, Ricker's coaches insisted that he put on additional weight by continuously eating. Ricker did as was told and promptly became a 300-pound fixture on the team's line, starting in every contest as a red shirt freshman. Ricker went on to start in 47 consecutive games for the Tigers, a school record. Ricker earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior, registering 121 knockdown blocks and 16 touchdown-resulting blocks as a four-year starter.