University of South Alabama Athletics

As A Sophomore (2020): Started each of South’s first nine contests while seeing action in all 11 games ... Posted a total of 22 stops, including one for a loss of three yards, and three passes broken up ... Recorded a career-high five tackles — all solo — with one behind the line of scrimmage and also broke up a pass in victory over Texas State in South’s Sun Belt Conference opener ... Matched that total in the Jags’ previous outing against UAB ... Credited with four stops at No. 25 Louisiana ... Finished with three tackles and a pass defensed in season-opening win at Southern Mississippi ... Had a pair of tackles in back-to-back games at Georgia Southern and 15th-ranked Coastal Carolina, adding a pass defensed against the Chanticleers.

As A Freshman (2019): Appeared in all 12 outings his first season at the collegiate level ... Recorded nine total tackles — with one of those behind the line of scrimmage — and a forced fumble ... Posted a pair of stops against Memphis and in South’s win over Arkansas State to conclude the season ... Forced a fumble with a tackle for an eight-yard loss that led to the Jags’ final points in defeat of Jackson State ... Credited with solo stops against No. 21 Appalachian State and at Georgia State as well.

High School Highlights: A two-star Rivals.com prospect ... Received two stars from 247Sports.com also, with the organization including him among the top 75 recruits in Mississippi as well ... Selected to participate in the 2018 Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star Game at the end of his prep career at West Point High ... Recorded 46 stops to go along with three interceptions and four passes defensed his senior year, helping the school go 14-1 while claiming the state 5A championship ... Also caused one fumble and recovered another, and blocked two field-goal attempts as well as a punt ... Added 285 yards running back kicks with both kickoff and punt return touchdowns ... Posted 17 stops and three interceptions as a junior while helping the Green Wave win the state title with a 15-0 record ... Blocked three total kicks that fall also ... Made 17 tackles and picked off a pass when he was a sophomore as WPHS won the state championship and finished the season 14-1.

Personal: Full name is Ryan Xavier Melton ... Born Oct. 31, 2000, in Columbus, Miss. ... Son of Ricky Melton and Sebryna Harris ... Favorite movie is “American Sniper” ... Favorite team is the New Orleans Saints ... Favorite athletes are Julio Jones, Reuben Foster, Jalen Ramsey and Cam Newton ... Favorite musical artists are Money Man, NBA Youngboy, Nipsey Hussle, Roddy Ricch and Migos ... Favorite foods are wings, Ro-Tel and pizza ... Majoring in sport management and recreation studies.