CFC profiles the nation's highest regarded defensive back of the 2013 class. In addition to his prevalence in the secondary, Baker is also a top return specialist.
Ryan Baker
Class:
2013
Position:
Safety, Kick Returner, Punt Returner, Wide Receiver, Running Back
Height/Weight:
5’10, 160 lbs
Commitment:
None
Consideration:
Acadia, STFX, Western, Duke, Michigan State, Stanford, Washington
Teams:
Calgary Wildcats (atom - midget)
Central Memorial Rams (high school)
Though defensive back, Ryan Baker, won’t be making the jump to CIS or NCAA football until September, 2013, the Albertan has already drawn the attention of scouts and recruiters. Ranking as one of the top of 2013 class, Baker is busy carving a name for himself on the high school circuit as he preps for the transition next fall.
When in coverage, Baker possesses a well rounded skill set that makes him a danger to quarterbacks and receivers alike.
With awareness to diagnose plays and cut into receiver routes, the hands to make stealthy picks, and the field vision to instantaneously turn an interception into an offensive play, the up and coming Baker makes opposing signal callers wary of spreading the field.
Though not the biggest defender, Baker will cause opposing receivers anxiety when a play is drawn up that has them crossing the middle of the field. With an aggressiveness to take down the quarterback’s intended target, Baker calls on his considerable agility to break up passes and layout exposed receivers.
Baker’s excellence as a safety has allowed him to compile a nice set of honours. The star DB was named Defensive MVP for his performance with the Rams as a grade 10 student, and he was named King Football/CSA Prepstar Top Underclassman Defensive Back, in December of last year.
“I really try to model myself after players like Troy Polamalu, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Devin Hester,” states Baker. While his penchant for big hitting and tight coverage is embodied in the first two players on this list, one may wonder where Devin Hester fits in.
Check out the video below and wonder no longer.
Like the Chicago Bears’ special teams artist, Baker is an electric return man. His acceleration, agility, and field vision allowed him to rack up 1056 return yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore, and 2200 yards and three touchdowns over the course of his high school career.
Baker’s performance as a returner earned him a 2009 Special Teams MVP with his bantam club. He also won the Special Teams Player of the Year award with the Rams, his high school squad, while in grade 10.
Baker is honoured further by his status as team captain for the Rams, two invitations to the U-18 Canada Cup tryouts for Team Alberta, and a selection to the Calgary Bantam Football Association All-Star Selects Team.
Though already well decorated, Baker continues to soak up as much of the game as he is able to.
“After my high school practices, when my studies allow, I will head over to the Wildcat’s Bantam Practice Fields and give back by helping out the coaches however I can,” says Baker.
In addition to his parents, he lists Kevin Kopczynski and Greg Wilson, Wildcat coaches, as well as Brian Cheney, his high school head coach, as influential people in his life and football career.
When he begins postsecondary school in September, 2013, Baker intends to study Business.
