First round and 6th overall draft pick Ryan O’Neal Sims began his career with the NFL by signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002.   Ryan attended the Paul M. Dorman High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina where his accomplishments included being a first-team all-state, all-region, and all-area selection; being named the top defensive lineman in the state of South Carolina by the Greenville News, and being selected as team captain and defensive Most Valuable Player for the South Carolina squad in the Shrine Bowl. 

Ryan continued to make remarkable strides in the sport while playing college football at the University of North Carolina where as a three-year starter he appeared in 43 games (33 starts) and finished his college career with 167 tackles (83 solo), 14.0 sacks (-87.0 yards), 28.0 tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, 40 QB pressures and a fumble recovery.