BE LIKE DON.
DON CANNON IS A GREAT MAN, A TIGER FAN, AND HE IS ALSO ONE OF MANY TIGER FANS SUBSCRIBED TO LSUODYSSEY.COM.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Committing to the Tigers nearly a year ago to the day (4/15/22), before joining Brian Kelly's 2023 squad this past January, LSU freshman DB Ryan Yaites is pushing for greatness.
Since we last spoke with Ryan on the record, he's undergone a change of environment from Texas' Guyer High to Baton Rouge, Louisiana's SEC powerhouse at LSU, from living with his parents and siblings to bonding alongside teammates his own age, while navigating a time-zapping combination of football, school, and the neverending social buzz of college life.
We were already impressed with Ryan as a person.....we believed in his playmaking abilities & were intrigued by his versatility, however after watching him during spring practices, standing taller and appearing bigger and lengthier than most had previously broadcasted, we felt an incredible vibe about #21.
Making a massive statement with his physical & athletic growth under Head Athletic Trainer Jake Flint and Nutritionist Matt Frakes, Ryan is pushing for playing time & maximum impact as a debutant....and if you listen to his coach, defensive coordinator Matt House speaking about him, you'll understand exactly why that goal is possible.
Name-dropped by Coach House during a recent press conference, many LSU fans are beginning to give the former Guyer defensive back a more in depth look ahead of this season....and we just had to ask him about all of it:
LONN: Last time we talked, you were still a few months away from LSU. Since you've been on campus, what's the one thing about your new environment that you didn't expect?
RYAN: The best thing is definitely the teammates and program. With the team I really didn’t know a lot of people outside of the freshman class, but after being a week there, everyone is just cool and lifts each other up while we grinding during the spring.
And when I got here, I thought that the program would just hit too hard to where I would be so far behind and wouldn’t keep up. But the way they prepare you, you're not just thrown into a lava pit, they slowly build you into it. Of course, I’m still not up there with the vets and on the same pace. They don’t bash you for it, they understand that you're 17-18 years old and hold you accountable while not killing you.
LONN: How tough is Head Coach Brian Kelly & his staff on you guys as freshmen?
RYAN: As a freshman, BK is really understanding with each freshman and keeps you in check, but also keeps that player's coach mentality.
LONN: What are some of the rules that are tougher to adjust to?
RYAN: Rule wise it’s nothing to it. He really stands on “graduate champions” and all the rules that he has applied are nothing that anyone can’t do, you just gotta buy into it.
LONN: Which teammates have you been able to form a tight bond with so far?
RYAN: Honestly, it’s hard to say. I feel like everyone on the team I have a good connection with and can talk / hangout with any of those dudes on and outside of the field.
LONN: Do you think Coach Kerry Cooks is living up to what he told you on the recruiting trail?
RYAN: Coach Cooks has definitely lived up to what he’s preached. Even more, he’s a great coach and is really the main key why I’m here and push myself as hard as I do in spring ball every day.
LONN: Man you look in the best shape, how much do you think you've athletically developed since arriving at LSU in January??
RYAN: Everything. When it comes to getting used to practice, adjusted to school, it’s definitely worth it and I would recommend it to any other 2024 and so on.
LONN: Earlier, you said 'they will build you gradually' and won't 'throw you in the lava pit': Do you feel you and your fellow freshmen, Whit, Jeremiah, JT, Jaxon can play a big role as freshmen??
RYAN: I feel like we can play a good role just by being coachable and ready at all times. The big impact guys are definitely all the vets, but when we need to be that impact, we will be ready.
LONN: At a press conference we attended, your Defensive Coordinator Matt House included you on a list of guys he's liked thus far in Spring. What's your experience been like learning under that man? He's wearing a Super Bowl ring (laughs).
RYAN: Coach House has said and texted me saying he has 'seen a lot of improvement', I still have a ton of things to work on but hearing that from him means a lot. Words can’t even explain how it feels. His knowledge of the game is next level and it really shows when we’re out there on the field and how every call has the perfect adjustment to anything that the offense does.
LONN: House, Steeples & Cooks had an incredible year with adjustments last season, and with you guys it should only continue. Ryan, I wanna ask you about a few teammates:
What are your impressions of Denver Harris so far??
RYAN: He’s a great. Looks very polished and has good man to man & ball skills.
LONN: Is Javien Toviano living up to that ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ billing???
RYAN: JT definitely does.
LONN: Ryan, you're the man. As always, thank you for taking the time to talk with us & you know we'll be following every step.
RYAN: I gotchu.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2023 UNINTERRUPTED WRITINGS INC
Wonderful interview! I am truly impressed with Ryan and believe he will impact the team and the game in an extremely positive way! I’m a fan! 💜💛💜🐯
Excellent interview and ready to see his progress
This is the type of young man that fits the path. He is hungry, coachable, smart, and talented.