Sport: Football
Born: February 9, 1991
Town: Berlin, New Jersey
Logan Ryan was born February 9, 1991 in Berlin, NJ. Growing up on the edge of the Pine Barrens in southeastern Camden County, he spent a lot of time outdoors as a boy and developed into a superb athlete. Logan played quarterback in youth football and continued his development as a passer for Eastern High in Voorhees. He played cornerback on defense for the Vikings and was an all-state selection at both CB and QB. College recruiters projected Logan as a four-star defensive back, and he accepted a scholarship to Rutgers.
Logan started a handful of games as a freshman defensive back in 2010 for the Scarlet Knights, who finished last in the Big East under Greg Schiano. The following year, he picked off 3 passes, returning one for a touchdown, and was named second-team All-Big East. He was an important part of a turnaround 9–4 season. Logan’s third year on the varsity—under new coach Kyle Flood—saw him intercept 4 passes and rank among the conference leaders with 59 solo tackles. He was named first-team All-Big East, and earned All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly. Logan was a big reason the Scarlet Knights won the Big East title.
Logan decided to go pro following his junior year and was drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots. He started 13 games in his first two seasons, and scored his first NFL touchdown as a rookie with a 79-yard pick-six against the Jets. Logan had a pair of sacks that year against the Dolphins and two INTs against the Ravens in the final game of the 2013 season. In 2014, he teamed with All-Pro Darrelle Revis to help the Pats win the AFC title and Super Bowl XLIX.
Logan became New England’s first-string right cornerback after Revis left and Tarell Brown was injured in 2015. He intercepted 4 passes and logged 58 tackles and was arguably the Pats’ best pass defender. The Patriots went 12–4 but fell to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship. Logan was flagged for a pass interference call on Demaryius Thomas, which extended Denver’s opening TD drive. In the teams’ previous meeting, Logan’s coverage of the star receiver received high marks. Logan’s work in the secondary with DB Duron Harmon was a big reason the Pats made it to the AFC title game in a season where there was considerable upheaval in Bill Belichick’s secondary. Logan and Duron had played together at Rutgers and were reunited when New England drafted them back-to-back in 2013.
In 2016, Logan had his best statistical game as a Patriot in a loss to the Bills, registering 17 tackles. He finished the year with a combined 92 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Logan picked off another pass in the playoffs against the Texans, and was credited with six tackles in the Pats’ dramatic comeback win over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Logan signed a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans for 2017. They made the playoffs and, after beating the Chiefs, they met Logan’s former team, the Patriots. Although New England won, Logan played a solid game, recording 12 combined tackles. In 2018, Logan was reunited with Butler in the Tennessee secondary. Logan had a great year and was leading all NFL DB’s with 4 sacks when he broke his leg in Week 15 against the Giants.
In 2019, Logan picked up right where he left off, getting to Browns QB Baker Mayfield twice in a season-opening win. Logan played well all season and finished with a career-best 113 tackles and 4.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. He also picked off 4 passes. Logan made headlines in the Wild Card round of the playoffs when he picked off a fourth-quarter pass by Tom Brady and returned it for a score in a 20–13 upset of his old club in Foxborough. Next up was Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Logan had another good game with 13 tackles. Tennessee won 28–12 in Baltimore to reach the AFC title game. The Titans opened an early lead on the Chiefs but, unfortunately, were unable to stop Patrick Mahomes in the second half and lost, 35–24.
Logan cashed in on his free agency after the playoffs and signed with the New York Giants. His versatility enabled the team to keep him on the field in different pass coverages, both as a cornerback and also at his new position, safety. In an unmemorable season for Big Blue, Logan made two signature plays: his tackle of Dan Prescott ended the Dallas QB’s season and his interception of an Alex Smith pass in the final minutes secured a 23–20 victory over Washington. In 2021, Logan had a career-best 117 tackles. The Giants decided not to sign the 31-year-old for 2022, and he caught on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Logan battled injuries but managed to play in nine games for Tampa Bay. He gave the Bucs veteran leadership and notched a forced fumble and interception as the Bucs eked into the playoffs.
Tampa Bay did not re-sign Logan in 2023. He made it known that he was available for an in-season signing and, in early December, the 49ers came calling after an injury to DB Talanoa Hufanga. Logan played important snaps for San Francisco in the final weeks and in the playoffs, and saw lots of action against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.