Russ Yeast

Russ Yeast

Yeast in 2021
No. 25 – Houston Texans
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1999-05-08) May 8, 1999 (age 25) Danville, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	191 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:	Center Grove (Greenwood, Indiana)
College:	Louisville (2017–2020) Kansas State (2021)
NFL draft:	2022 / round: 7 / pick: 253
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (2022–2024) Carolina Panthers (2024) Arizona Cardinals (2024)* Houston Texans (2024–present)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Big 12 (2021)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2024
Total tackles: 81 Pass deflections: 5 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Craig Russell Yeast II (born May 8, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Louisville and Kansas State.

College career

Yeast played college football at Louisville from 2017 to 2020 before transferring to Kansas State for the 2021 season.[1][2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	192 lb (87 kg)	31+3⁄4 in (0.81 m)	9 in (0.23 m)	4.58 s	1.59 s	2.67 s	4.35 s	6.82 s	37.5 in (0.95 m)	9 ft 11 in (3.02 m)	18 reps
All values from Pro Day[3]

Los Angeles Rams

Yeast was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round, 253rd overall, in the 2022 NFL draft.[4] He played largely on special teams during his rookie season with the Rams. He earned an increased role on defense in the final month, and he made his first NFL start in the Rams' season finale against the Seattle Seahawks on January 8, 2023. Yeast left that game early with a pulmonary contusion that kept him in a hospital overnight in Seattle.[5]

After the offseason departures of Rams safeties Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott, Yeast became the Rams' starting free safety during training camp in 2023. He lost his starting job by midseason, being replaced by veteran John Johnson.

After fighting for a roster spot in 2024, he made the final roster as a backup, but was waived on September 14, 2024.[6]

Carolina Panthers

On September 18, 2024, Yeast was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster a week later.[7] He was released on October 8 and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[8][9] He was promoted back to the active roster on October 26, but released two days later.[10]

Arizona Cardinals

On November 6, 2024, Yeast was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.[11] He was released by the Cardinals on November 11.[12]

Houston Texans

On November 27, 2024, Yeast was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad.[13] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 21, 2025.[14]

Personal life

Yeast's father, Craig, was a star receiver at the University of Kentucky before playing professionally in the NFL and the Canadian Football League. Yeast's mother, Tori Tillman Yeast, played basketball at Kentucky.[15] His sister, Kiyah, is a sprinter on the Louisville track team.[16]

References

1. "Russ Yeast College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
2. Green, Arne (December 30, 2021). "Russ Yeast has been an impact transfer for Kansas State football's defense". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
3. "2022 NFL Draft Scout Russ Yeast College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
4. Jackson, Stu (April 30, 2022). "Russ Yeast bringing versatility to Rams secondary". TheRams.com. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
5. Barshop, Sarah (January 8, 2023). "Rams' Russ Yeast hospitalized with chest injury, in stable condition". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
6. "Rams waive former starting safety". Turf Show Times. September 14, 2024.
7. Gantt, Darin (September 24, 2024). "Adam Thielen placed on injured reserve, among other moves". Panthers.com.
8. Gantt, Darin (October 8, 2024). "Panthers add offensive line and outside linebacker depth". Panthers.com.
9. Gantt, Darin. "Panthers add three back to practice squad". panthers.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
10. Gantt, Darin (October 26, 2024). "Nick Scott placed on IR, among other safety moves". Panthers.com.
11. "Arizona Cardinals sign safety Russ Yeast to practice squad". Revenge of the Birds. SB Nation. November 6, 2024.
12. "NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/11/24". profootballrumors.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
13. "Houston Texans Transactions (11-27-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. November 27, 2024.
14. "Houston Texans Transactions (1-21-2025)". HoustonTexans.com. January 21, 2025.
15. Jones, Steve (January 8, 2017). "Russ Yeast, son of UK legend Craig Yeast, carves own path with Louisville commitment". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
16. "Kiyah Yeast". Louisville Cardinals Athletics. Retrieved September 29, 2023.

External links

• Houston Texans bio
• Louisville Cardinals bio
• Kansas State Wildcats bio