Ranking the 25 most important players for Louisville football in 2019
By Alex Stengel
In what could be one of the best underdog stories coming out of Louisville football’s offseason, Russ Yeast is looking to turn the turmoil of 2018 into a triumph in 2019.
On the verge of transferring after last season, new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown convinced Yeast that he could be better utilized in his defense and to withdraw his name from the portal.
And boy was Coach Brown right.
Comments from the staff and players alike have poured in from the offseason, saying that Yeast looks like a completely different player and has excelled at his new strong safety position. One such quote about Yeast from Bryan Brown gained local buzz about the junior –
"“When I got here in December and met with him (Yeast), I said “Hey, let’s get your name out of the portal. Let’s try to work this thing out.” Right now he’s our starting strong safety. He’s unbelievable! We moved him from corner to safety, that was one of our moves and he fits just perfectly at that spot. He’s like a corner, but he’s not a true corner if you understand what I’m saying. He’s not a guy that can just go out there on an island all the time and lock up on one. My strong safety in our defense is really a third corner that tackles really well. (Last year) He was done, he was finished. He’s an unbelievable kid! And he’s probably going to go out with the ones come Notre Dame next year.”"
Russ’ significant improvement is even more important with TreSean Smith facing an indefinite absence, at a position that wasn’t deep to begin with and the lack of depth at the safety position.
In the new-look defense Yeast will be freed up to utilize his skillset as a faster safety with a nose for making plays on the ball. He recorded two INT’s in the Spring Showcase and has continued to earn high praise, essentially being named a starter ahead of anyone else, all offseason.
Russ Yeast will undoubtedly one of the main catalysts for Louisville’s new turnover-driven defense under the new staff, making him a true impact player going into 2019.