University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2023
- Class:
- 2001
If you looked at UNI's football record book, you would know that Ryan Helming left his mark as a Panther signal caller.
A four-year quarterback and three-year starter for the Panthers from 1997 through 2000, Helming's arm strength and accuracy helped make the Springfield, Missouri native one of UNI's most efficient passers in program history, guiding UNI to 22 wins during his starting career. After earning all-conference honorable mention recognition in 1998, Helming dominated the Gateway Conference in 1999 with a school record 3,469 passing yards and 31 touchdowns through the air as a junior, which included the posting of the program's fifth-best single-season pass efficiency rating of 153.5. Helming also set UNI's single-game school records for passing yards (541) and total yards gained (548) in a win at Western Illinois. Helming followed up his impressive 1999 campaign with an identical performance as a senior in 2000, recording 3,145 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes, becoming the only passer in program history with multiple 30+ touchdown pass seasons.Â
Having thrown a touchdown pass in a then program-record 22 consecutive games, Helming finished his career as both the UNI and the Gateway Conference's all-time leader in pass completions (662), passing yards (9,089), passing touchdowns (77), and total offense (9,217). A two-time First Team All-Conference passer and four-time conference Offensive Player of the Week, he picked up Second Team All-American honors in 1999 and earned First Team All-American recognition the following year. Helming was also named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's Silver Anniversary Team in 2009.
Following his collegiate career, Helming participated in brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams, as well as the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League. Currently a strategic portfolio manager for Farm Bureau Financial Services, Helming currently resides in Johnson, Iowa with his wife Emily, and children Ava, Trevin and Harper.
