Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Projected first-round NFL Draft pick Ronnie Stanley developed with Gorman football, basketball

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Notre Dame lineman Ronnie Stanley, middle, lines up during in a NCAA college football game with Michigan State Sept. 21, 2013 in South Bend, Ind. At left is Notre Dame tight end Troy Niklas. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

Ronnie Stanley

Bishop Gorman High senior offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, a four-star recruiting prospect with scholarship offers from the likes of Auburn, Notre Dame and USC, talks about the upcoming high school football season.

Ronnie Stanley left midway through the Bishop Gorman High football game in an ambulance with an elbow injury. Some feared Stanley, a three-year starter and the heart-and-soul of Gorman’s offensive line, would be lost for the season.

“He was back on the sideline before the game was over,” said Kenny Sanchez, the Gorman coach who was the defensive coordinator when Stanley played in 2009-11.

“He smacked coach Sanchez (Kenny’s brother, Tony) on the butt and said, ‘I’ll be back.’ That goes to show you how tough the kid was.”

As promised, Stanley returned for the state championship game to cap his Gorman career with a 43-2 record and three titles. He’s continued to impress.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Stanley is expected to be a first-round draft pick today in the NFL Draft, with some projections pegging him to go as high as the third-overall selection to the San Diego Chargers.

In college at Notre Dame, Stanley started 13 games at right tackle in 2013 and 27 games at left tackle the past two seasons, making him more attractive to scouts because of his versatility. He’s noted for having long arms (35 and 5/8 inches), athleticism and strong footwork — traits coveted for offensive tackles.

He would have likely been a first-round selection last year, but decided to return to Notre Dame for his senior season. The move paid off — he’ll go higher in the first round and receive a bigger contract.

“Stanley benefited greatly from returning to school for his senior season, during which he showed improved strength and technique,” ESPN draft expert Todd McShay told the SB Nation. “He is a fine athlete for his long frame.”

He developed the footwork on the basketball court for Gorman. Stanley was part of three state champion basketball teams at Gorman, receiving playing time as a freshman. He also played high-level AAU basketball in the summer.

“Basketball was his first love,” Gorman coach Grant Rice said. “He grew up playing basketball and was very successful for us. With his footwork and hands, we knew he was going to be big-time.”

Click to enlarge photo

Bishop Gorman center Ronnie Stanley dunks on Findlay Prep during their game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at Cox Pavilion. Findlay won the game 73-61.

Stanley will become the third Gorman product active in the NFL. Both of the others — DeMarco Murray of the Titans and Xavier Grimble of the Steelers — also played basketball for the Gaels.

“Ronnie could have been a Division I basketball player,” Rice said.

Stanley was one of three high school All-Americans in Gorman’s 2012 graduating class. The others, Shabazz Muhammad (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Joey Gallo (Texas Rangers), are each off to promising professional careers.

“We don’t think about professional sports here,” said Rice, who is also Gorman’s assistant athletic director. “Our goal is to get them into a successful college situation.”

Stanley returned to Gorman this winter to talk with current football players. Four short years ago, he was in their shoes — eager to make his mark on the game.

“He told them to keep grinding and keep working,” Sanchez said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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