Salem’s Ryan Todt knew, in the moment, that something was very wrong.
“I was playing lacrosse, and a made a bad cut,” he remembered. “I heard a loud pop, then I couldn’t walk. I knew it was bad. I was so angry. I knew it meant I was in danger of not playing football for a long time.”
Disaster struck for Todt on New Years Eve of 2023, when he suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and meniscus in his right knee while playing in a holiday indoor lacrosse tournament.
Less than two months removed from starting on the offensive and defensive line for perennial power Salem High as a sophomore, Todt’s 2024 season was already over.
But now, after 21 months away from the game he loves, he is finally back on the gridiron.
Todt is poised to again lead the offensive line and return to his defensive tackle spot for the Blue Devils, who kicked off preseason practice last Friday, and are ranked the No. 4 team in New Hampshire heading into their season-opener at Concord on Sept. 5.
“I am super pumped to be back,” he said. “Not being able to play last year was the hardest thing I’ve had to experience in my life so far. I wanted nothing more than to be out there. So to finally be back playing football is the best. It’s hard work, but it’s so much fun and I’ve missed it so much.”
The 6-foot, 225-pound Todt opened eyes as a sophomore, as an offensive guard opening hopes for a Salem rushing attack that amassed more than 2,700 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the Blue Devils to a 7-3 record and a trip to the Division I Quarterfinals.
But just seven weeks after footballs season ended, Todt suffered his torn ACL, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehab.
“Having an MRI, and it coming back with a torn ACL was not the best way to celebrate the new year,” he said. “And I couldn’t get surgery until Feb. 15 because the doctors wanted to let the swelling go down. So I started physical therapy right way to get strong so I could heal faster. I just wanted to get it fixed so I could go out on the field.
“It was very, very tough to miss the football season. I was really tight with the senior class from last year. We had a tight connection, so it was a hard pill to swallow that we could never play again. I would go to practice and help guys with technique and was there if they had questions. I wanted to stay present with the team. I was also in the weight room and running every day.”
Finally healthy, Todt returned to play varsity lacrosse for Salem in the spring, then turned his attention to his gridiron comeback. And with that return came change this preseason, with a move from guard to center.
“I was determined that I was going to come back stronger and better than before,” he said. “When we started, coach (Steve) Abraham came to me and said we didn’t have a center, so he moved me there. I’m just getting used to it, but I like it. It’s a different pressure, but playing there is what is best for the team and that’s all I care about. And I love playing defense. It’s so much fun to just go out there and make a big tackle.”
Now he hopes to lead the Blue Devils to another big regular season, and a state tournament run.
“I feel like we can accomplish anything,” he said. “The sky’s the limit. Our confidence is very high. We feel like we can go out and beat anyone on any Friday.”
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