Russ Yeast Bio
Craig Russell Yeast II, known professionally as Russ Yeast, is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans. Yeast began his college football career at Louisville, where he played from 2017 to 2020, before transferring to Kansas State for the 2021 season. He entered the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Early Life and Background
Craig Russell Yeast II was born on May 8, 1999, in Danville, Kentucky. He grew up in a family with a deep connection to college athletics in the state of Kentucky. His father, Craig Yeast, was a standout receiver at the University of Kentucky and went on to play professionally in the NFL and the Canadian Football League. His mother, Tori Tillman Yeast, played basketball at the University of Kentucky, giving Russ an early environment shaped by competitive sports at the highest collegiate levels.
Yeast attended Center Grove High School, where he developed into a college football prospect. Coming from an athletic family, he was exposed early to the demands and discipline required at high-level competition. His sister, Kiyah, has competed as a sprinter on the Louisville track team, extending the family’s presence in college athletics.
Path to American Football
Yeast committed to the University of Louisville, where he suited up for the Louisville Cardinals from 2017 through the 2020 season. During his time with the Cardinals, he worked to establish himself as a defensive back while adjusting to the speed and complexity of major college football. After the 2020 campaign, he entered the NCAA transfer portal to pursue a new opportunity.
In 2021, Yeast transferred to Kansas State, joining the Kansas State Wildcats for a single season. That year became a defining chapter of his college career, as he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021. The recognition helped position him for the 2022 NFL Draft, where he was selected 253rd overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round.
Russ Yeast Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Yeast entered the NFL as a late-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. During his rookie season, he worked largely on special teams while learning the Rams’ defensive system. He earned an increased defensive role in the final month of the year and made his first NFL start in the Rams’ season finale against the Seattle Seahawks on January 8, 2023. He left that game early after suffering a pulmonary contusion that required an overnight hospital stay in Seattle.
Heading into 2023, the Rams experienced offseason departures of safeties Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott, which opened an opportunity for Yeast. He entered training camp as the Rams’ starting free safety, but he lost the starting job by midseason when veteran John Johnson took over the role. Despite the setback, the season gave Yeast meaningful NFL experience on defense.
Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Yeast’s first career chapter in the NFL was defined by steady development with the Los Angeles Rams. After his initial rookie-year work on special teams, his late-season start against Seattle provided an early signal of his defensive potential. He then opened the 2023 season as a starter, demonstrating the confidence the coaching staff had in his coverage ability.
In 2024, Yeast fought for a roster spot during training camp and ultimately made the Rams’ final roster as a backup. He was waived on September 14, 2024, ending his initial tenure with the organization that had drafted him.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024)
On September 18, 2024, Yeast was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster a week later, giving him another opportunity to contribute on defense and special teams. He was released on October 8, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.
Yeast returned to the Panthers’ active roster on October 26, 2024, before being released again two days later. His brief stints with Carolina reflected the constant movement of practice-squad and roster transactions that shape the career arc of a young reserve player.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024)
On November 6, 2024, Yeast was signed to the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, marking another quick stop in his 2024 journey. He was released by the Cardinals on November 11, 2024, after only a few days with the organization.
Houston Texans Era (2024–2025)
On November 27, 2024, Yeast was signed to the Houston Texans’ practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 21, 2025, securing his place with the organization into the next league year.
On August 26, 2025, Yeast was waived by the Texans as part of final roster cuts, ending his time in Houston.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Yeast was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, joining the team’s defensive depth chart. He continues his NFL career with Cincinnati as he works to earn an elevated role.
Russ Yeast Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Russ Yeast comes from a family with deep ties to college athletics in Kentucky. His father, Craig Yeast, was a star receiver at the University of Kentucky and went on to play professionally in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League. His mother, Tori Tillman Yeast, played basketball at the University of Kentucky, ensuring that Russ grew up surrounded by high-level athletic competition.
Personal Life
Yeast’s sister, Kiyah, has competed as a sprinter on the Louisville track team, continuing the family’s tradition in college-level sport. The family remains closely connected to athletics, with multiple members having competed at major college programs in Kentucky and beyond.
2025 Season Performance
Russ Yeast’s 2025 season began with a reserve/future contract signed with the Houston Texans in January. After being waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, he quickly found a new opportunity.
On August 28, 2025, Yeast was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, giving him a landing spot as the regular season opened. His role with Cincinnati centers on contributing as a safety while competing for a larger defensive role through special teams and practice performance.
Looking ahead, Yeast’s outlook with the Bengals depends on his ability to translate practice-squad reps into an active-roster promotion. His prior NFL experience with the Rams, Panthers, Cardinals, and Texans gives him a varied background that could help him carve out a long-term role in Cincinnati’s secondary.