courtesy Sam Spiegelman
Ultimately, Louisiana's No. 1-ranked defensive back chose to stay home and pledge to the Tigers in a close call over the Crimson Tide. Ryan, the nation's No. 32 overall prospect in the Class of 2021, bolsters LSU's recruiting class that now sits fourth in the Rivals team rankings with 20 total commitments.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Ryan is the highest-rated commitment of the group. The nation's No. 3-ranked safety -- who is more of a hybrid defensive back capable of filling multiple roles in the secondary than anything -- has helped Lafayette Christian Academy capture consecutive Division III state championships and has the Knights in a strong spot to earn a third before Ryan heads down to Baton Rouge next year.
Nobody has had a better view of Ryan's growth and development on the field than his head coach, Trevor Faulk, a former All-American for LSU that happens to be Ryan's uncle as well.
"He's special," Faulk began. "His approach to work .. coming into work every day, working hard every day, training and being a humble kid, wanting to get better and wanting to be a good leader and I think he found his voice on the football field ... He's one of those guys that's a unique talent. At about 195 or 200 pounds, he's a very physical tackler. He loves to hit, he loves contact, but also he's an athlete that can flex out wide and cover guys man to man, play in the box, play over the slot, blitz. He can basically do anything and he does a little bit of everything and anything here for us."
On the eve of his commitment, Ryan mustered 201 total yards of offense and found the end one thrice playing a combination of quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He had two solo tackles -- including one on a fourth-and-goal -- and also broke up a pass as Notre Dame was driving downfield at the end of the first half.
Ryan is midway through his senior season at Lafayette Christian and continues to turn in major performances week in and week out regardless of the competition. Even as his prep career winds down, Faulk continues to be amazed by what Ryan comes up with each and every Friday.
"It hasn't hit me up yet and I'm kind of in denial, because we've had this experience together for five years and this is our last handful of games together," a proud uncle began. "He's a special talent and God has given a lot and he works to use all of the gifts God has blessed him with ... He's kind of his own special deal to be honest. He can blitz, rush the passer, be physical but also cover like a corner, hit like a linebacker and rush the passer like a pass-rush specialist. He can pretty much do everything and no one guy comes to mind (as a comparison), but he's a kid that can be used as a defensive weapon and give people fits wherever you fit him in."
As highly touted as Ryan is as a football player, he has left an equally as impressive legacy away from the field. Ryan is a leader for Lafayette Christian and has worked toward developing a voice for his younger teammates and has shown them the way.
After deciding Tuesday that a commitment would come on over the weekend, Ryan naturally deflected away any added attention. However, he eventually caved with a press conference-like setting to include his friends, family and teammates and share his moment with those closest to him.
"Sage is Sage, man," Faulk laughed. "He's humble. Some of this stuff blows his mind because to him, it's 'I'm just Sage.' That's how he is and how he views himself. He doesn't see himself as a big deal and doesn't quite understand the magnitude of his announcement. He doesn't understand because he's 'just Sage' and that's basically his thing."
Attention on Ryan also opens up the door for a bigger spotlight on the Knights' football program, though, which is an aspect that the Rivals100 safety has embraced. That's a platform for Ryan to embrace because it allows him to introduce the world to his teammates and those college prospects that'll follow him down the road.
"I'm just Sage" may be Ryan's mantra, but it's been an effective way to open the door to meet others.
"About every chance he has to talk about Brylan (Green) and Jordan (Allen) and Fitz (West) and the young guys coming up behind him," Faulk said. "He sets a great example for them because he uses his platform to get those guys more attention."
"That's who Sage is," he added.
Ultimately, Louisiana's No. 1-ranked defensive back chose to stay home and pledge to the Tigers in a close call over the Crimson Tide. Ryan, the nation's No. 32 overall prospect in the Class of 2021, bolsters LSU's recruiting class that now sits fourth in the Rivals team rankings with 20 total commitments.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Ryan is the highest-rated commitment of the group. The nation's No. 3-ranked safety -- who is more of a hybrid defensive back capable of filling multiple roles in the secondary than anything -- has helped Lafayette Christian Academy capture consecutive Division III state championships and has the Knights in a strong spot to earn a third before Ryan heads down to Baton Rouge next year.
Nobody has had a better view of Ryan's growth and development on the field than his head coach, Trevor Faulk, a former All-American for LSU that happens to be Ryan's uncle as well.
"He's special," Faulk began. "His approach to work .. coming into work every day, working hard every day, training and being a humble kid, wanting to get better and wanting to be a good leader and I think he found his voice on the football field ... He's one of those guys that's a unique talent. At about 195 or 200 pounds, he's a very physical tackler. He loves to hit, he loves contact, but also he's an athlete that can flex out wide and cover guys man to man, play in the box, play over the slot, blitz. He can basically do anything and he does a little bit of everything and anything here for us."
On the eve of his commitment, Ryan mustered 201 total yards of offense and found the end one thrice playing a combination of quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He had two solo tackles -- including one on a fourth-and-goal -- and also broke up a pass as Notre Dame was driving downfield at the end of the first half.
Ryan is midway through his senior season at Lafayette Christian and continues to turn in major performances week in and week out regardless of the competition. Even as his prep career winds down, Faulk continues to be amazed by what Ryan comes up with each and every Friday.
"It hasn't hit me up yet and I'm kind of in denial, because we've had this experience together for five years and this is our last handful of games together," a proud uncle began. "He's a special talent and God has given a lot and he works to use all of the gifts God has blessed him with ... He's kind of his own special deal to be honest. He can blitz, rush the passer, be physical but also cover like a corner, hit like a linebacker and rush the passer like a pass-rush specialist. He can pretty much do everything and no one guy comes to mind (as a comparison), but he's a kid that can be used as a defensive weapon and give people fits wherever you fit him in."
As highly touted as Ryan is as a football player, he has left an equally as impressive legacy away from the field. Ryan is a leader for Lafayette Christian and has worked toward developing a voice for his younger teammates and has shown them the way.
After deciding Tuesday that a commitment would come on over the weekend, Ryan naturally deflected away any added attention. However, he eventually caved with a press conference-like setting to include his friends, family and teammates and share his moment with those closest to him.
"Sage is Sage, man," Faulk laughed. "He's humble. Some of this stuff blows his mind because to him, it's 'I'm just Sage.' That's how he is and how he views himself. He doesn't see himself as a big deal and doesn't quite understand the magnitude of his announcement. He doesn't understand because he's 'just Sage' and that's basically his thing."
Attention on Ryan also opens up the door for a bigger spotlight on the Knights' football program, though, which is an aspect that the Rivals100 safety has embraced. That's a platform for Ryan to embrace because it allows him to introduce the world to his teammates and those college prospects that'll follow him down the road.
"I'm just Sage" may be Ryan's mantra, but it's been an effective way to open the door to meet others.
"About every chance he has to talk about Brylan (Green) and Jordan (Allen) and Fitz (West) and the young guys coming up behind him," Faulk said. "He sets a great example for them because he uses his platform to get those guys more attention."
"That's who Sage is," he added.