Four-star DB Ryan Yaites commits to LSU
Ryan Yaites is always smiling.
The four-star defensive back maintained that loose, positive energy throughout his recruitment, which ultimately led to a commitment to LSU on Friday.
Brian Kelly recruited Yaites as the head coach of Notre Dame and wasted no time picking up where he left off upon his arrival in Baton Rouge. After visiting this spring, Yaites grew even more comfortable fitting into LSU’s culture.
“They fill all of the boxes,” Yaites told On3. “The LSU staff has been loyal since Notre Dame. They have always been pushing for me. Brian Kelly, Kerry Cooks, they’ve been talking to me and they always told me they want me and they’ll get me. Ever since they got to LSU, we’ve been talking every day now. Seeing the program and watching them work out, this is a program I can go to and fit into how they run their defense, a pro-style defense and how it correlates to how we work.”
Yaites is the nation’s No. 12-rated safety in the nation on the On3 Consensus. He had early interest in LSU before a bevy of schools began dialing up their efforts for the talented, versatile defensive back. That includes Ole Miss and Michigan State, among others.
LSU began surging at the right time for Yaites, who was on campus at the tail end of March and will return for the spring game.
“My dad and I were talking about Michigan State at one point, but that night I had a dream of me at LSU and it was crazy,” Yaites recounted. “I remember talking to Brian Kelly and my family was there, and literally the next day, they called me about committing. That was the sign I was looking for.”
“LSU has always been ‘DBU’ and that energy and that part of the program, saying I’m a part of ‘DBU,'” he continued. “Every time I put on those gloves, I’m a part of LSU. I’m a ‘DBU’ defensive back.”
Yaites brings versatility to LSU secondary
Yaites brings both size (6-foot-1.5, 182 pounds) and position versatility. Last season, he took snaps primarily outside at cornerback and accounted for 42 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception for the Texas 6A state runners-up.
This spring, Yaites clocked a 22.9-second 200-meter time while also participating on the relay teams. He’s previously recorded a 38-inch vertical.
Yaites is a big corner that thrives at attacking the football and playing downhill both against the run and in coverage. He has massive reach and long arms to press at the line and uses that to his advantage contesting balls downfield and underneath. He also is fantastic at shedding blockers, patrolling a zone and also playing off in coverage.
Physicality is a key element in Yaites’ games and part of the reason why he’s tabbed as the On3 Consensus’ No. 12 safety. He can be an enforcer over the top and roam in coverage.