Former LSU defensive back announces transfer portal decision

One of the top young players on the Tiger defense is headed to the ACC. Earlier today, former LSU defensive back Ryan Yaites announced that he’ll transfer to Cal for the 2024 college football season.

Former LSU defensive back announces spring transfer portal decision ahead of sophomore season

It’s never easy to lose a talented player to the transfer portal in spring. It’s even harder when they happen to be a young piece who was likely to compete for snaps in the coming season.

In the case of former LSU defensive back Ryan Yaites, this happens to be exactly what has occurred, as the rising sophomore has officially announced his decision to make the transition to the ACC as a part of the Cal Golden Bears.

BREAKING: Former LSU DB Ryan Yaites has Committed to Cal, he tells @on3sports

The 6’1 195 DB from Denton, TX will have 3 years of eligibility remaining

“Not playin this go around, BEAR DOWN!!🐻⬇️”https://t.co/VAAYiiRjTp pic.twitter.com/4PDSeWe0hx

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 29, 2024

Coming out of high school, Yaites was one of several big-time defensive back recruits to sign with the LSU class of 2023, and was one of the few freshmen to actually receive some hefty playing time this past season. Listed as a four-star safety and the No. 245 player nationally, he managed to find his way onto the field in all 13 games in his first season with the program, recording 16 tackles and one pass deflection as a key backup.

Standing at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, the most impressive thing about the Denton, TX, product is the fact that he’s always been incredibly versatile. In high school, Yaites saw time at safety and cornerback and in turn, left his footprints all around the Tiger secondary in 2023.

The former LSU defensive back will now join Cal as a three-star and the No. 466 transfer nationally, according to 247Sports. He can likely be expected to battle for immediate playing time with the middling Golden Bear football program.

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