Washington 2025 ATH Ryken Moon giving scouts great looks on both sides of the ball
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Playing for Washington’s Bellevue High School attracts a next level crowd. Year after year the Wolverines are one of the state’s best loaded with next level talent capturing titles along the way. The 2023 campaign was no different going 11-2 with players earning rings after a 14-0 victory over Yelm. One of the players the coaching staff turned to as a three-way difference maker was Ryken Moon (5-11, 190). That versatility has scouts looking at him on both sides of the ball.
The 2025 prospect did a little bit of everything this season for the Wolverines, Moon spoke about his gridiron roles.
“Most of the time I was at wing back, a hybrid running back-receiver role,” Moon stated. “On defense I started at strong safety, then they moved me down to Buck linebacker. That is where I played after Week 3.”
Moon continued talking about his role in the offensive attack, “They always wanted to spread the field with me; teams had to take away the outside. They were trying to get me in space, and we’d do some play action over the top. Wing back belly, that is another way they were getting me the ball in the 9 or 10 hole. I’d hit a hole on the outside. I’d get to the outside as fast as possible; that was one of my favorite plays to run.”
Roaming the entire field on defense, Moon brought the pain at the point of contact.
“I was basically more of a nickel-corner,” Moon stated. “I am more athletic than a linebacker with speed out there. I was taking away their passing game. We were a pass stopping team.”
Given his versatility on the field, Moon was asked which position is his favorite.
“Receiver was what I was thinking going into high school, but playing receiver and being recruited is not an option at Bellevue,” Moon shared. “Being a nickel-corner or safety. If I wanted to bulk up, I could play running back in college.”
Bulking up may be the path forward for Moon if college scouts have their way.
“I am being recruited mostly as a running back, but some schools see me as a nickel-corner,” Moon said.
Next level opportunities have been dropped by Arizona and Nevada with future opportunities in the works.
“Stanford is showing interest, so is UDUB (Washington), I went to a couple of their camps, Oregon State, and Fresno (State) a little bit,” Moon stated.
Washington brought Moon to Huskey Stadium on Sept. 23 making a big impression.
“I went to UDUB for the Cal game, that was their first Pac-12 game of the year, it was a sick environment,” Moon shared. “It was their first game using the new light system; they used black and purple lights when the Huskies scored.”
Offseason trips spending time with California based programs are on Moon’s mind.
“One to UCLA is a visit I really want to take, and to Stanford,” Moon said. “Cali is a good place to go for college. I went to Oregon State as a freshman and I have been to UDUB, I want to explore the west coast more.”
Complete stats were not posted on the Wolverines’ season, but eight games worth of Moon’s were made available.
The numbers help tell the story of his production on the field; 35 carries for 345 yards with four touchdowns, three receptions for 81 yards, and 38 tackles, 25 solo, with three tackles for a loss, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Moon had a fantastic season while playing through an injury.
“My stats on offense, because of my broken hand, were not as effective,” Moon stated. “I feel that I will have more production on offense next season once I am healed. Teams shouldn’t just see me as a defensive player because of that.”