Craig Russell Yeast II is an American football safety who currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He has built a professional career spanning multiple NFL teams since being drafted in 2022. Yeast previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans. He played college football at Louisville from 2017 to 2020 before transferring to Kansas State for his final season, where he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021. The Danville, Kentucky native was selected by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 253rd overall pick.
Craig Russell Yeast II Bio
Craig Russell Yeast II is a professional American football safety currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He previously competed in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers after a collegiate career spanning Louisville and Kansas State, where he earned All-Big 12 recognition. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Yeast brings experience as a defensive back with proven tackle production across his professional tenure.
Early Life and Background
Craig Russell Yeast II was born on May 8, 1999, in Danville, Kentucky. He grew up in Greenwood, Indiana, where he attended Center Grove High School. Yeast was a multi-sport athlete during his high school years, developing the athletic foundation that would later support his professional football career. His upbringing in Indiana provided him with access to competitive high school football programs known for developing college-ready talent.
Yeast comes from a highly athletic family with deep roots in sports. His father, Craig Yeast, was a star receiver at the University of Kentucky before embarking on a professional career in the NFL and Canadian Football League. His mother, Tori Tillman Yeast, played basketball at the University of Kentucky. His sister, Kiyah Yeast, was a sprinter on the Louisville track team, continuing the family’s tradition of athletic excellence across multiple sports.
Path to American Football
Yeast began his collegiate football career at the University of Louisville, where he played for the Louisville Cardinals from 2017 to 2020. During his time at Louisville, he developed as a defensive back and gained valuable experience in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His performances over four seasons with the Cardinals helped establish his reputation as a reliable defensive player capable of contributing at the college level.
For his final season of college football in 2021, Yeast transferred to Kansas State University to play for the Kansas State Wildcats. This move proved pivotal to his football career, as he flourished in the Big 12 Conference. His standout performance during the 2021 season earned him First-team All-Big 12 honors, validating his decision to transfer and demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level against top conference opponents.
Craig Russell Yeast II Career
Early Career (2022)
Craig Russell Yeast II entered the NFL Draft after his standout season at Kansas State in 2021. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round with the 253rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Being drafted by the Rams gave Yeast the opportunity to learn under a franchise that had recently won Super Bowl LVI. He reported to rookie minicamp and began the transition from college to professional football.
During his rookie season with the Rams in 2022, Yeast primarily contributed on special teams while learning the defensive schemes at the NFL level. Special teams play often serves as an entry point for rookie defensive players, allowing them to contribute immediately while developing their craft on defense. This approach provided Yeast with valuable professional experience and the chance to earn playing time.
Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Yeast earned an increased role on defense during the final month of his rookie season with the Rams in 2022. His performance and dedication during practice sessions and games led to this expanded responsibility. On January 8, 2023, in the Rams season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, Yeast made his first NFL start. Unfortunately, he left that game early with a pulmonary contusion that required an overnight hospital stay in Seattle, a scary moment that highlighted the physical demands of professional football.
Entering the 2023 season, Yeast capitalized on the offseason departures of Rams safeties Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott. He competed for and won the starting free safety job during training camp, establishing himself as a regular starter in the Rams defensive backfield. However, he lost his starting job by midseason and was replaced by veteran John Johnson III, experiencing the competitive nature of NFL rosters where performance is constantly evaluated.
The 2024 season proved challenging for Yeast as he fought for a roster spot during training camp. He made the final roster as a backup but was waived by the Rams on September 14, 2024, ending his tenure with the organization that had drafted him. During his time with the Rams, Yeast recorded 65 total tackles and contributed on special teams while appearing in 32 games.
Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans (2024)
Following his release from the Rams, Yeast quickly found opportunities with other teams. On September 18, 2024, he was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad and promoted to the active roster a week later. His tenure with the Panthers was marked by roster instability, as he was released and re-signed to the practice squad twice within weeks before being promoted back to the active roster on October 26. He was released again two days later, reflecting the volatile nature of NFL roster management for depth players.
On November 6, 2024, Yeast joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. His stint with Arizona was brief, lasting only five days before he was released on November 11. The Cardinals move demonstrated the challenges faced by journeyman players in maintaining roster spots across multiple organizations during a single season.
Yeast continued his journey around the NFL when he was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad on November 27, 2024. This move provided him with stability to finish the season. On January 21, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans, indicating the team’s interest in his continued development. However, on August 26, 2025, Yeast was waived by the Texans as part of final roster cuts, ending his time with the organization.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Yeast was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. This signing provided Yeast with another opportunity to continue his NFL career with a franchise looking to strengthen its safety depth. He reported to the Bengals and began learning their defensive system under the coaching staff in Cincinnati. The Bengals have built a competitive roster in recent seasons, making them an attractive destination for players seeking to contribute to a winning program.
On January 5, 2026, Yeast signed a reserve/future contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, securing his place on the team heading into the 2026 season. This contract demonstrated the Bengals’ confidence in Yeast’s abilities and his fit within their defensive schemes. He will have the opportunity to compete for playing time during the 2026 offseason program and training camp.
Playing Style and Strengths
Yeast is known as a physical safety who brings versatility to the defensive backfield. His background as a multi-sport athlete has contributed to his footwork and coordination in coverage. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to play both safety positions and contribute on special teams, providing value as a depth player who can fill multiple roles. His experience starting for the Rams in 2023 showed his capability to handle increased responsibilities when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Yeast’s career came when he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors at Kansas State in 2021, validating his decision to transfer and demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level. His first NFL start on January 8, 2023, against the Seattle Seahawks represented another important step in his professional development, though the game was cut short by injury. Throughout his journeyman career across five NFL franchises, Yeast has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, valuable traits for professional football players seeking to maintain roster spots in a competitive league.
Craig Russell Yeast II Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning the 2022 to 2025 seasons, Craig Russell Yeast II has appeared in 39 games while recording 82 total tackles and 5 pass deflections. His tackle production reflects his contributions as a depth safety and special teams player across multiple organizations.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | Los Angeles Rams | 26 | 54 | 4 |
| 2024 | Multiple Teams | 13 | 28 | 1 |
| Career | NFL Total | 39 | 82 | 5 |
Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Craig Russell Yeast II comes from a distinguished athletic family with deep roots in collegiate and professional sports. His father, Craig Yeast, was a standout receiver at the University of Kentucky before playing professionally in the NFL and the Canadian Football League. This football lineage provided Russ with valuable insights into the demands of professional athletics from an early age. His mother, Tori Tillman Yeast, played basketball at the University of Kentucky, continuing the family’s excellence in collegiate athletics.
Personal Life
Yeast’s athletic family extends to his siblings as well. His sister, Kiyah Yeast, was a sprinter on the Louisville track team, continuing the family’s tradition of athletic achievement across multiple sports disciplines. This multi-sport background has clearly influenced Yeast’s development as an athlete, providing him with the athletic foundation necessary to compete at both the collegiate and professional levels of football.
2025 Season Performance
Craig Russell Yeast II signed with the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad on August 28, 2025, after beginning the season with the Houston Texans organization. He subsequently signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 5, 2026, securing his roster spot for the 2026 season. Yeast will compete for a consistent role on the Bengals roster in 2026, seeking to contribute on defense and special teams while continuing to develop his game at the professional level.