Colts rookie cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who made his first NFL start in the season opener, grew up as a Falcons fan.
However, when the Colts (1-1) host the Falcons (1-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, his former team will be public enemy No. 1.
“I was a die-hard Falcons fan,” said Ya-Sin, who played at Southwest DeKalb High. “I was a Falcons fans growing up, but now I’m a competitor. I’m an athlete in the NFL. So, I’m just trying to go out there and get a win and make as many plays as possible so that we can come out with a ‘W’ on Sunday.”
Ya-Sin, who was drafted in the second round by the Colts, plays in the nickel defense. He started in the season opener against the Chargers and played 42 of 63 defensive snaps (67%) in a 30-24 overtime loss. Last week, he played 48 of 59 defensive snaps (82%) in a 19-17 win over the Titans.
“Rock has done very well,” Colts coach Frank Reich said. “He’s physical and aggressive. He’s a really smart player. We’re really excited about the progress that he’s made.”
Ya-Sin recorded two tackles against the Chargers and three against the Titans.
“He’s done a nice job, he really has,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said.
Pierre Desir, the Colts’ top cornerback, was limited in practice Wednesday with a knee injury. If he doesn’t fully recover, Ya-Sin could see an expanded role against the Falcons.
Ya-Sin, a former state wrestling champ, was a late-bloomer as a football player. He shined his senior season in football and finished second in the state in wrestling.
Ya-Sin had offers from Presbyterian, Hampton, Tennessee State and Norfolk State. He went to Presbyterian and played three seasons for the Blue Hose and continued to develop his football skills.
When Presbyterian went to a non-scholarship conference, Ya-Sin transferred to Temple, where he played for Geoff Collins, who is now the Georgia Tech head coach.
Because of his tough and physical style, Ya-Sin was a fast riser during the draft process.
Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, pointed out that Ya-Sin’s play against South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Ala., was a big reasons why he was a “fast riser.”
The Colts took him with the 34th overall pick.
“It’s going well,” Ya-Sin said. “I’m just trying to get better every day and take advantage of my opportunities in the game.”
The Colts have been in two tough battles.
“The overtime game against the Chargers, and we were in a nail-biter that went down to the wire against the Titans,” Ya-Sin said. “It was great getting that win. That’s what we do it for. It was great atmosphere in the locker room afterward. It was great. It was the best.”
Ya-Sin is preparing to face a talented Falcons’ wide receiving group.
“Julio (Jones) has been doing it a long time at a really, really elite and high level,” Ya-Sin said. “Mohamed Sanu has been doing it for a while. Calvin Ridley is a younger player, but he’s a great player and you’ve got Matt Ryan throwing them the ball. He’s an elite level quarterback in the NFL, who’s been doing it for awhile as well.”
It will be a reunion for Ya-Sin as several of his coaches, including coach Keith Johnson, the wrestling coach who steered him to football, will be on hand for the game.
“We are all really, really close,” Ya-Sin said.
Ya-Sin is glad he made the transition from wrestling to football, but still relies on his wrestling background.
“Just the competitiveness,” Ya-Sin said. “The ability to be one-on-one with people and not be afraid to be one-on-one. Not asking for help or needing help. It’s the mentality that you believe in yourself that you can go against anybody and get it done, one-on-one.”
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