Russ Yeast has been an impact transfer for Kansas State football's defense

MANHATTAN — In an era where the transfer portal has become an integral part of college football as we now know it, players contemplating a change of scenery would be wise to heed the words of Kansas State defensive back Russ Yeast.

Yeast, a graduate transfer from Louisville, not only helped the Wildcats' defense in a year of transition, but also found great individual success as an All-Big 12 safety.

"The portal is kind of becoming more prevalent in college football," said Yeast, a fifth-year super-senior. "My biggest advice to the players jumping in there is, just make sure you find the right fit.

"Whenever you're leaving or something like that, make sure you're leaving for the right reasons. And when you're looking for new schools, make sure you're looking at them for the right reason as well.”

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Yeast spent four years as a regular in the Louisville secondary before transferring to K-State and taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the coronavirus pandemic. He immediately stepped into the starting lineup and established himself as an elite safety for the Wildcats.

"Phenomenal season," K-State coach Chris Klieman said of Yeast. "One of the best transfer portal additions in the country.

"We were fortunate enough to land Russ. Had a lot of conversations with his parents, and they believed that this was a great place, just like Russ did."

Yeast will play one final game as a Wildcat on Tuesday, when K-State (7-5) takes on LSU (6-6) in the Texas Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. at NRG Stadium in Houston.

"Coming to the portal, I wanted to come play for a good football program, get a chance to be around a good team and be around a good coaching staff and things like that," said Yeast, who led the Big 12 in passes defended with 13 and tied for second with three interceptions. "So I think everything's worked out."

Yeast who also finished the regular season tied for fifth on K-State's tackle chart with 44, was rewarded with first-team All-Big 12 honors from the league's coaches and was named to the Associated Press' second team. He also has been recognized as one of the nation's top transfer portal pickups.

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"It makes me feel good, but I just want to continue to help the team win," Yeast said. "I want to go out and win the bowl game.

"Individual accolades don't really mean that much to me. I'd just rather win games."

Yeast was just one of several transfers to make an impact in K-State's revamped defense this season. Junior cornerback Julius Brents (Iowa) and super-senior nickelback Reggie Stubblefield also start in the secondary, while super-senior Timmy Horne (Charlotte) has played a key role as an interior lineman.

Defensive back Cincere Mason (Kennesaw State) also was a regular contributor before suffering a season-ending injury.

“This locker room itself just did a really good job of embracing us whenever we first got here and making us feel like we were a part of the family," Yeast said of the transfers' collective experience. "I think everybody that came in as transfers also came in with the right mindset and not trying to be handed anything and want to put their head down and work and earn the trust of the team.

"So, I think that those two things combined together, and they led to success for a lot of them.”

Yeast also credited Klieman, defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman — his position coach — and cornerbacks coach Van Malone for helping make his transfer season a success.

"They always put me in good positions to succeed as a player individually," Yeast said. "They also did a good job of putting a lot of other players in good positions where their best strengths were able to show this year

"I think we were able to come together as a unit and just kind of play off each other.”

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The Wildcats unveiled a new defensive scheme in the season opener against Stanford, switching from a four-man front to a 3-3-5 look. After early success, they struggled during consecutive league losses against Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Iowa State before hitting their stride late.

"I was more thinking that we were still going to be in the four-down kind of base defense," Yeast said. "But we talked about it more actually once I got here, so it actually made me very excited whenever they started to bring it up because I felt like I could fit into it pretty good.”

Klieman, for one, could not have been happier with Yeast's performance, both on and off the field.

"He's been a great football player and a great mentor for younger players," Klieman said. "He's going to get a chance to play (in the NFL) on Sundays, I really believe that.

"(He) has just had a phenomenal season, and, once again, was rewarded as well like he should have been, because he was darn good this year.”

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State defense gets boost from Louisville transfer Russ Yeast