Hold that Tiger: Sage Ryan Commits to LSU

Roughly two hours before it’s game with Auburn, the LSU football program scored a massive win on the recruiting trail when five-star safety Sage Ryan of Lafayette Christian committed to the Tigers.

Ryan, the No. 1 safety in the 2021 recruiting cycle and No. 28 player overall, is now LSU’s highest rated recruit in its class. The safety position has been much maligned this season and Ryan’s commitment should immediately bolster the group once arriving on campus next season.

Ryan has family ties to the LSU football program. His uncle, Trev Faulk, played linebacker at LSU from 1999-2001 and was a Second-Team All-American in 2001; and Ryan’s cousin is Kevin Faulk who in addition to being LSU’s all-time leading rusher, is now the running backs coach after spending the past two seasons as the football program’s Director of Player Development.

While Ryan seemed like a lock to sign with LSU, there were fears he would spurn the Tigers and sign with Alabama the past few days. On October 28, 247 Sports’ Shea Dixon and Billy Embody—who cover LSU for the site—and Steve Wiltfong, 247’s director of football recruiting, changed their picks from Ryan signing with LSU, to signing with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Ryan was selected to the 2021 All-American Bowl and on 247 is compared to former Michigan linebacker/safety Jabril Peppers. He is projected to be a future second or third round draft pick and has the potential to play corner, nickel or even receiver at the collegiate level.

While Ryan gives LSU its first five-star commitment, it is hoping to land more in some combination of defensive end Korey Foreman from California (No. 1 player in the class), offensive tackle Tristan Leigh from Virgina (No. 11 overall) and defensive tackle Maason Smith, Louisiana’s highest ranked prospect and the No. 20 overall player.