Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.
Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.
We’re taking a look at a returning player who could be poised to break out among a group filled with transfers. [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] missed much of his true freshman season due to injuries, but he took a step forward last fall, becoming a regular contributor
Sage Ryan’s Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
Ht: 5-11
Wt: 202
247Sports Composite Ranking
Five Stars | No. 2 in Louisiana | No. 2 Safety
Class in 2021: Redshirt Freshman
Career Stats
| Year | G | Total | Solo | Sack | PD | INT | FF | FR |
| 2021 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 23 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Depth Chart Overview
Ryan was the second-highest-rated recruit in LSU’s 2021 recruiting class coming out of high school, but he had a minimal impact as a true freshman due to injuries. In the four games he appeared in, he totaled just six tackles and two pass deflections.
He saw a much bigger role this past fall, appearing in all 14 games with one start against Ole Miss, in which he totaled a career-high five tackles. He finished the year with 23, forcing two fumbles and recovering two as well.
Ryan can play nickel or safety, but his easiest path to the field is likely at the former spot. He’ll compete with Syracuse transfer [autotag]Duce Chestnut[/autotag] for that starting job this fall.