News
The Shootout sits down with former Terp Yeatman
Will Yeatman played football and lacrosse at Notre Dame and Maryland. He is now in the NFL.
The Pacific Coast Shootout recently caught up with Will Yeatman, a graduate of Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego, CA) and a two-sport standout at both Notre Dame and Maryland (football and lacrosse). Yeatman graduated from Maryland and is currently playing in the NFL as an Offensive Lineman with the Houston Texans.
PCS: You have played both football and lacrosse at the Division I level. Which did you enjoy the most and why?
WY: I chose to play both sports because I have always loved both of them. As the recruiting process progressed for me throughout high school, I realized I could compete in both sports at the Division 1 level and I knew that is what I wanted to do. They both have meant so much to me throughout my time in college. Lacrosse practice is more spontaneous but the energy of football college games is unparalleled.
PCS: What were the biggest differences between the two experiences?
WY: Competing in front of 5-20 thousand fans is certainly different than competing in front of 65-115 thousand fans. I love that you get to play more games in lacrosse but part of the mystique of college football is the game days on Saturday.
PCS: What do you remember the most from your college lacrosse experience?
WY: My teammates. Scoring goals in big games is an exhilarating feeling but I am most appreciative of the relationships I formed during my time at Maryland and Notre Dame. I love my teammates and couldn’t have dreamed of playing with a better group of guys. I think the best part of playing sports is how close a team becomes when collectively competing towards a championship. As someone from California, lacrosse has provided me with these close relationships with great people all over the country.
PCS: You have played lacrosse and football at both Notre Dame and Maryland, and now you are playing in the NFL. What are the skills and attributes you learned along the way that have helped you find success in the NFL?
WY: Preparation is key. Watching film and knowing your opponent is something that plays dividends when the game arrives. I learned how to study film in college. In Houston we spend half of our day studying film and the scouting report of our opponent.
PCS: Are there any things you learned as a lacrosse player that have had a positive impact on your professional football career?
WY: My lacrosse background has provided me with endurance, footwork and speed. At Maryland, our team motto is “BE THE BEST.” In order to be the best, a team must compete and work as hard as possible day in and day out. Ryan Young, a great friend and teammate of mine, personified this and brought unbelievable energy to every practice and game. I took note of that right away and have tried my hardest to play football with the same energy and passion.
PCS: What advice do you have for lacrosse players in CA who have the goal of playing Division I college lacrosse?
WY: Keep a stick in your hands. Looking back at it, my stick skills may have been better in middle school because I never put my stick down. My dad started the Pacific Lacrosse clinics when I was in 4th grade and it was a perfect way to prepare for the season since it is every Saturday from January to March.
Play multiple sports. Lacrosse is such a well-rounded game that possesses attributes of so many different sports. It’s amazing to see a high school athlete play in a lacrosse game after his first football season. He is usually stronger, more aggressive, and more physical. A basketball player or soccer player can increase their endurance, footwork, and hand-eye coordination after their seasons as well. It’s been well documented that most Division 1 lacrosse coaches prefer multiple sport athletes.
Don’t worry. Your reaction after a bad play speaks volumes about your character to coaches.
Don’t get caught up in all the hoopla. Young lacrosse players spend so much time analyzing their socks and shorts that they lose sight of what really matters, which is playing as well as possible and being a great teammate.
Get good grades. Lacrosse offers so many opportunities after high school if your grades are good and you have focus and drive on and off the athletic field.
PCS: Do you consider yourself a football player who happened to play lacrosse, or a lacrosse player who made it to the NFL?
WY: I am an athlete who loves football and lacrosse. I have always loved both games.
PCS: If the MLL were at the point where salaries were comparable to the NFL, would you rather play NFL football or MLL Lacrosse?
WY: I would absolutely try to play both.
PCS: What does the Maryland - Carolina rivalry mean to you?
WY: It’s always been a game with players, coaches, and teams who are familiar with one another. This year it means that Maryland has its only chance of the regular season to whoop up on an old conference foe, and I hope the Terps do just that.
PCS: Any memorable Maryland - Carolina lacrosse stories?
WY: My senior year at MD we beat the Heels in the ACC tournament in Byrd Stadium. I had broken my thumb two weeks prior to the game. The UNC defender covering me used a wooden pole that game so his checks would hurt a little more. We got the W!
PCS: Anything else you’d like to add…
WY: Having my alma mater play in my home state is a dream come true. I hope this game attracts more Californian laxers to College Park!
PCS: You have played both football and lacrosse at the Division I level. Which did you enjoy the most and why?
WY: I chose to play both sports because I have always loved both of them. As the recruiting process progressed for me throughout high school, I realized I could compete in both sports at the Division 1 level and I knew that is what I wanted to do. They both have meant so much to me throughout my time in college. Lacrosse practice is more spontaneous but the energy of football college games is unparalleled.
PCS: What were the biggest differences between the two experiences?
WY: Competing in front of 5-20 thousand fans is certainly different than competing in front of 65-115 thousand fans. I love that you get to play more games in lacrosse but part of the mystique of college football is the game days on Saturday.
PCS: What do you remember the most from your college lacrosse experience?
WY: My teammates. Scoring goals in big games is an exhilarating feeling but I am most appreciative of the relationships I formed during my time at Maryland and Notre Dame. I love my teammates and couldn’t have dreamed of playing with a better group of guys. I think the best part of playing sports is how close a team becomes when collectively competing towards a championship. As someone from California, lacrosse has provided me with these close relationships with great people all over the country.
PCS: You have played lacrosse and football at both Notre Dame and Maryland, and now you are playing in the NFL. What are the skills and attributes you learned along the way that have helped you find success in the NFL?
WY: Preparation is key. Watching film and knowing your opponent is something that plays dividends when the game arrives. I learned how to study film in college. In Houston we spend half of our day studying film and the scouting report of our opponent.
PCS: Are there any things you learned as a lacrosse player that have had a positive impact on your professional football career?
WY: My lacrosse background has provided me with endurance, footwork and speed. At Maryland, our team motto is “BE THE BEST.” In order to be the best, a team must compete and work as hard as possible day in and day out. Ryan Young, a great friend and teammate of mine, personified this and brought unbelievable energy to every practice and game. I took note of that right away and have tried my hardest to play football with the same energy and passion.
PCS: What advice do you have for lacrosse players in CA who have the goal of playing Division I college lacrosse?
WY: Keep a stick in your hands. Looking back at it, my stick skills may have been better in middle school because I never put my stick down. My dad started the Pacific Lacrosse clinics when I was in 4th grade and it was a perfect way to prepare for the season since it is every Saturday from January to March.
Play multiple sports. Lacrosse is such a well-rounded game that possesses attributes of so many different sports. It’s amazing to see a high school athlete play in a lacrosse game after his first football season. He is usually stronger, more aggressive, and more physical. A basketball player or soccer player can increase their endurance, footwork, and hand-eye coordination after their seasons as well. It’s been well documented that most Division 1 lacrosse coaches prefer multiple sport athletes.
Don’t worry. Your reaction after a bad play speaks volumes about your character to coaches.
Don’t get caught up in all the hoopla. Young lacrosse players spend so much time analyzing their socks and shorts that they lose sight of what really matters, which is playing as well as possible and being a great teammate.
Get good grades. Lacrosse offers so many opportunities after high school if your grades are good and you have focus and drive on and off the athletic field.
PCS: Do you consider yourself a football player who happened to play lacrosse, or a lacrosse player who made it to the NFL?
WY: I am an athlete who loves football and lacrosse. I have always loved both games.
PCS: If the MLL were at the point where salaries were comparable to the NFL, would you rather play NFL football or MLL Lacrosse?
WY: I would absolutely try to play both.
PCS: What does the Maryland - Carolina rivalry mean to you?
WY: It’s always been a game with players, coaches, and teams who are familiar with one another. This year it means that Maryland has its only chance of the regular season to whoop up on an old conference foe, and I hope the Terps do just that.
PCS: Any memorable Maryland - Carolina lacrosse stories?
WY: My senior year at MD we beat the Heels in the ACC tournament in Byrd Stadium. I had broken my thumb two weeks prior to the game. The UNC defender covering me used a wooden pole that game so his checks would hurt a little more. We got the W!
PCS: Anything else you’d like to add…
WY: Having my alma mater play in my home state is a dream come true. I hope this game attracts more Californian laxers to College Park!
Pacific Coast Shootout
Announcements
2020 Pacific Coast Shootout
Yale 17 • Michigan 11
2019 Pacific Coast Shootout
2019 Pacific Coast Shootout
Notre Dame 10 • Denver 7
2018 Pacific Coast Shootout
Maryland 11 • North Carolina 7
2017 Pacific Coast Shootout
Virginia 19 • Cornell 18 (OT)
2016 Pacific Coast Shootout
Notre Dame 9 • Maryland 4
2015 Pacific Coast Shootout
Maryland 10 • North Carolina 8
2014 Pacific Coast Shootout
Denver 10 • Notre Dame 7
2018 Pacific Coast Shootout
Maryland 11 • North Carolina 7
2017 Pacific Coast Shootout
Virginia 19 • Cornell 18 (OT)
2016 Pacific Coast Shootout
Notre Dame 9 • Maryland 4
2015 Pacific Coast Shootout
Maryland 10 • North Carolina 8
2014 Pacific Coast Shootout
Denver 10 • Notre Dame 7
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
.png)
.png)
.png)
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
.png)
.png)
