Sean Rhyan

Early life

Rhyan was born on September 15, 2000, in Laguna Hills, California, into a family with a strong athletic background. His father, Steve, was a professional motocross racer who turned pro at age 15, while his grandfather was a professional boxer. His mother, Mary Lou, was a multi-sport athlete at Walnut High School in Walnut, California.

Rhyan grew up in Ladera Ranch, California, where he primarily participated in baseball and rugby during his youth. Rugby was his main passion, and he was a fan of the All Blacks, particularly admiring player Sonny Bill Williams. Rhyan did not watch the NFL as a child and only began playing football during high school.

High school career

Rhyan initially attended Capistrano Valley Christian School in San Juan Capistrano, California, as a freshman before transferring to San Juan Hills High School for his sophomore year. During this time, he was a nationally recognized rugby player who was part of the U.S. Olympic team pipeline, having qualified to play for the high school feeder team associated with the USA Eagles. As a senior, Rhyan was named the Orange County Register's Male Athlete of the Year and participated in the 2019 All-American Bowl. Additionally, he won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title in the shot put.

Rhyan was rated a three-star recruit and the highest-ranked offensive lineman in California’s 2019 class by 247Sports. He committed to play college football at UCLA, selecting the Bruins over offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, USC.

College career

Rhyan was named a starter at offensive tackle for the Bruins going into his freshman season. He started all 12 of UCLA's games and was named to the Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America and USA Today.

Rhyan started all seven of the Bruins games in the team's COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.

Personal life

Rhyan is of Filipino descent through his mother, who immigrated to Walnut, California, from the Philippines at the age of five, and of White American descent through his father.