Damien grad who walked on at USC, finished at Sacramento State, signed by Packers

Ryan McMahon, a safety who walked on at USC following his football career at Damien and played his final two years of college football at Sacramento State, was signed by the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.

Ryan McMahon USC MugMcMahon had multiple scholarship offers when he graduated Damien, but I remember the conviction in his voice five years ago when he explained to me his belief that he could play at a higher level. Apparently that attitude has carried him a long way.

He must have made an impression at the Packers’ rookie orientation camp in May, where he earned an invite to training camp. Of course, he still has a long way to go to make the 53-man roster, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who didn’t envision McMahon ever signing an NFL contract. At the very least, his look in this Sacramento State bio picture looks like something that would fit in Green Bay.

In two seasons at Sacramento State, McMahon amassed 183 tackles, including seven for a loss, a sack, 11 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and an interception. He led USC in special teams tackles as a sophomore in 2009 before redshirting in 2010 prior to his transfer. Because Sacramento State is an FCS school – formerly Division I-AA, McMahon didn’t have to sit out for a season like he would have at a Division I school.

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