Defensive back Sage Ryan ready to contribute in 2022
Sage Ryan has a year of college behind him, and he is ready for the upcoming year on the field. After enduring a challenging freshman year of adjustment and injury, the Lafayette standout DB is prime for his redshirt freshman season.
Ryan sat down with the Jordy Culotta Show and confidently explained that being close to home and family was the reason he chose LSU over Alabama. As the nephew of LSU great Trev Faulk and the cousin of LSU hero Kevin Faulk, Ryan understands the responsibility. He said with pride, “That’s one of the main reasons I came here. Just continue that legacy, the LSU football legacy, it’s a blessing to be where I am today.”
Ryan has noticed a marked difference between his high school experience and college. He describes college as a “business-like environment” with “accountability.” When asked about his freshman year, Ryan reflected.
“It was tough. When I first came to LSU, I was going through a lot of injuries. I feel like it helped me, mentally, physically, and emotionally, you know. I don’t think I was really ready for everything last year. I never experienced nothing like college before. From fall camp to just, you know, cleaning my own clothes, washing the dishes, like that was just what Mama did, stuff like that.” Ryan feels ready now: “It’s not a roller coaster ride no more. I got my feet wet now, so I know what to do, what to accomplish.”
Spring practice, however, gave Ryan confidence and experience. He shared, “I’m good now, mentally physically 100 percent. During spring, I was kind of under Greg Brooks [Arkansas DB transfer], so I got to learn a lot from him. To know my role, go out there and compete, you know, with the best receivers, the best people I’ve ever guarded, that was pretty cool.”
His position has yet to be finalized, but Ryan feels good either playing nickel or safety: “I like the nickel spot or the safety spot. Anything to contribute to the team’s success, I’ll do. Anything to contribute to winning.” He explained further, “I would feel more confident at the safety spot, more versatile, so that I can make plays instead of just being stuck in one box.”
As for coaching changes, Ryan is excited about the new staff. When asked about the defensive back coaches, Ryan shared, “They’re both great men, great leaders, great coaches. It’s a positive vibe around them. They’ll get on you if you make a wrong play or something, but that’s good for us.”
On defensive coordinator, Matt House, Ryan said, “We’re gonna be good, I ain’t gonna lie. He’s just so smart, like he knows every position. He can coach any position on the defense. To have that smart mind at the NFL, you know, it’s just good for us.”
Ryan lights up when he talks about Coach Kelly. He said, “I love the guy. He’s a great man, great coach. I just like how he’s trying to, you know, turn everything around…He’s trying to teach us to become men on and off the field, and that’s what I like. Be more accountable.”
According to Ryan, between senior leaders like Jay Ward and veteran transfers like Greg Brooks, team leadership bodes well for success. Ryan also sees promise in the true freshmen: “They’re definitely college ready, big guys. They can come in and contribute to the team right away. Will Campbell been working hard, he’s a beast, a different type of guy, and Harold Perkins he’s going to contribute too. Those guys look ready.”
After a couple setbacks and big adjustments, Sage Ryan is ready. His goals are “To be a better leader, just to be more vocal.” He added, “I feel like that will help with my play, just learning my playbook inside and out and knowing what everybody is doing.”
With this mentality, Ryan hopes to emulate his idol, Tyrann Mathieu, by making big plays on the field and representing his home state and his family.
Joy Holden
