Ryan's dad, Mitch, spent two years at the University of Idaho, was a 220-foot discus thrower and placed fourth at the 1984 Olympic Trials. He still ranks high in Idaho record books.
Uncle Dean was a three-time NCAA champion at Oregon in the shot put and discus and still holds the school records in both events.
Uncle Brian once held the world javelin record and competed in a pair of Olympic Games (1988 and 1992).
Cousin Sam swept the Oregon's 2010 6A titles in the shot put, discus and javelin, becoming the first thrower to win all three events at the highest classification since his uncle, Brian, did it. Sam is a freshman at the University of Oregon and national prep record holder in the javelin (255-4). He was the Gatorade National Track Athlete of the Year in 2010.
Not to be overlooked is cousin Haley (Sam's sister), who at last May's 6A State meet won the javelin as a freshman. The Oregon 6A record of 176-5 could be in reach this year.
And there a few other younger cousins waiting to add their names to the family's throwing tree.
But Ryan says that despite the family history, he was never pushed into track. It just came naturally, he says.
In his early track days, Ryan sprinted, long and triple jumped - with success. He was a Junior Olympics winner in the triple jump reaching the low 40s as a freshman.
"I never did any distance events, though, I'll leave that to my younger brother, Matt," said Ryan. Matt runs distances for the Barlow High School team.
But when he started throwing, it didn't take long to realize sprinting and jumping would soon be a thing of the past. He was a state champion in both the discus and shot put as a freshman and sophomore and finished second to cousin Sam in the javelin.
The foot injury kept him from a showdown with Sam at last year's state meet and Sam won three events. Prior that, however, the cousins often went head to head during the high school season, Ryan for Barlow and Sam for crosstown rival Gresham. Sam has won the battle in javelin, while Ryan dominated the rivalry in the shot put and discus.
The cousins likely will meet as opponents in college, Ryan at Texas and Sam at Oregon.
TEXAS OVER OREGON WAS ACADEMIC
Ryan says as much as he loved Oregon and the family history there and at Hayward Field, where he, his dad, cousins and uncles all have claimed many victories and set numerous records, choosing the Longhorns over the Ducks came down to academics.
"Oregon doesn't have an engineering department and Texas is ranked the seventh best in the country," said Ryan. "Plus, they have a great group of throwers and I really got along well with their throwing coach Mario Sategna."
Ryan admits the dampness of the Northwest hampers training, but said the cloudy skies of Eugene versus the sunny skies of Austin had little to do with his decision, but pointed out that Sategna sent him a picture recently of UT's blue sky and mid-70 weather.
"I'd just come in from training ... it was cold and wet and here's the photo from warm and sunny Austin. I'm looking forward to the experience there and a very different work regiment. Unlike now where I have no one to push me, I'll have a lot of throwers there to push me. I'm looking forward to that challenge."
Ryan said he is likely to compete in UT's indoor season, but is hoping to redshirt for the outdoor season. He pointed out that he wants the fifth year summer season as it coincides with the 2016 Olympics.
"But I chose Texas mostly because of the academics ... the competition is the bonus," he said. Ryan also had offers from UCLA, Arizona State and Stanford.
While he knows what direction his track future will take him, he hasn't decided between studying mechanical or petroleum engineering. His minor will be business.
A TYPICAL WORKOUT WEEK
Ryan's workouts are planned by his dad. It might best be said: Don't try these at home ... let the experts do them.
He lifts heavy weights three to four times each week. He throws the shot three to four times each week and throws the discus at least once. On the days that he throws light, he will throw maybe 10-12 times. On heavy days, however, he is throwing the 12-pound shot 30-40 times each workout.
He usually takes only one day a week off (Sundays) from any type of workout and picks another day during the week to go light.
And he has no trouble finding alternate weights to throw. The family's history has amassed 25-30 shot puts in the Crouser family garage - that's Mitch Crouser's family garage. Dean and Brian have their own collection of weights.
"Yeah, we've got just about every weight class there is from 4.4 pounds to 16 pounds," said Ryan, who noted the hardest part of track is working out by himself.
"As much as I love track, the hardest part is doing it yourself ... at times it's tough to keep myself going," said Ryan. "Working out 2-3 hours a day, six days week is tough to do, tough to stay motivated."
But he loves it. He loves the people involved in track. And he's quick to praise his dad for keeping him on the right path and teaching him that technique is key, moreso than strength.
"He focuses a lot on health and conditioning, too," said Ryan. "We know how injuries can set you back, so staying healthy is vital. You go down for a month, you need another month of training just to get you back where you were. So, it's important to do things right the first time."
Mitch and Dean own the appropriately named Elite Athlete, a business that provides top quality nutrition for elite athletes.
THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE
With his three-meet indoor season completed, Ryan turns his training to the outdoor season and the spring high school season.
He thinks his Barlow High School team has a chance to do very well at the Oregon 6A meet in May. He praises teammates and his coaches, and in particular head coach Dave Killian.
"He has great enthusiasm. He's a young coach and really knows how to motivate and recruit," said Ryan, who expects the Barlow boys and girls track and field team to feature as many as 140 student athletes.
During the prep season, he is likely to focus on the shot and discus and might throw the javelin if needed.
"It (javelin) is kind of a mystery to me. I haven't thrown it since I was a sophomore, but went over 200 feet," said Ryan. "I never practice it, though it is my best natural event ... it's kind of funny that I don't throw it."
Following the prep season will likely be the Junior Pan American Games where his goal is to win gold in the shot and discus.
Though confident, Ryan is very well aware that he isn't alone in setting goals high. He has high praise for Nick Vena (Morristown, N.J.). Vena, a 275-pounder headed for Virginia, has put the shot longer than 70 feet more than 40 times and has a best of 72-10. The latter is three feet better than Ryan's outdoor best of 69-8, a mark that might need an asterisk due to Ryan's foot injury.
"I've got a lot of work ahead me, but am looking forward to it," said Ryan. It's that love of the sport ... measuring what he did today to yesterday and answering only to himself for his effort.
That said, Vena has yet to reach 73 feet and Ryan has done so a half-dozen times - all in 2011.
While Ryan has focused on the shot for the indoor season, he will add the discus to his target list when the outdoor season gets underway next month.
Ryan's first major outdoor event is expected to be at the Arcadia (Calif.) Invitational (April 8-9), where cousin Sam earned Top Male Athlete honors at last year's Arcadia Meet. Ryan is expected to challenge Mason Finley's national discus record of 236-6.
Ryan's meet best in the discus was 202-6, and he was the first athlete in Oregon to surpass 200 feet. Ryan's best in practice is 220, coming on the day he broke his left foot.
"I've been focusing on the shot, but when the weather gets better and I get some time outdoors, I'll put more focus into discus training as well as the shot," said Ryan.
In the meantime, more lifts, more training and more focus on technique.
As for sleeping in on meet days, it doesn't appear to be an issue.
"I can compete well early, but I just prefer sleeping in late, especially on the day of big meets," said Ryan.
That being the case, no alarm clock is necessary as Ryan sets his sights on Carter's 81-3.