The Limerick Leader understands that Aussie Rules agent Ricky Nixon called to Ryan's home in Shanagolden during the past week.
Follow-up telephone conversations have also taken place and the St. Senan's 19-year-old has been invited to a series of trials, which are to take place in UL next month.
Ryan is one of over 20 rising GAA stars that have been targeted as potential AFL players. Along with the Limerick attacker Kerry's Tommy Walsh and Killian Young, Laois's Conor Meredith, James Kielt of Derry, Donegal's Michael Murphy and Clare pair Sean Collins (Cratloe) & David Connole (Kilfenora) are also understood to be on the short-list.
Ryan, a student in Mary Immaculate College, only made his Munster senior championship debut against Tipperary earlier this summer.
The attacker kicked three frees in the win over the Premier County and then last month he landed three points from play and two frees in the agonising defeat to Cork.
While both John Quane and Stephen Kelly were both part of international rules squads no one from Limerick has tried their hand at the professional game down under.
Ian Ryan first came to prominence last season as the star full-forward on the county minor team that beat Clare after a replay and then lost to Kerry in a Munster semi-final after another replay. While impressing throughout the McGrath Cup and National Football League the west Limerick man also played under-21 football with Limerick this season.