It’s been an eventful fall for Ryan Baker.
The Yorktown High School (N.Y.) junior took over as starting quarterback of the Huskers’ football team in Game 2 and led the squad to a 7-3 record that ended with a 37-35 win over Sleepy Hollow as Baker rushed for 119 yards and threw for another 59.
Baker’s speed and shiftiness helped ignite a Yorktown offense that featured running back Eric Meyreles.
Those attributes also made Baker an attractive recruit for several Division I programs as a midfielder. Earlier this week, he gave a verbal commitment to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, a decision first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
The 5-foot-9, 145-pound Baker, a righty, is a versatile player with good quickness who plays with an aggressive, all-out style. Baker was recruited by UMBC assistant Steve Settembrino, a Yorktown High School alumnus.
Baker, the son of Athletic Director Tom Baker at nearby Hendrick Hudson High School, joins Towson-bound midfielder Nick Del Bene as 2015 commits for YHS.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Ryan on his commitment.
What were the main factors in the decision?
The experience around the team, the coaching staff at UMBC, the academics, and the area in which UMBC is located.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I was considering Albany and St. John’s as well. The schools I visited were Siena, Providence, UMass, Albany, St. John’s and UMBC.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My strengths are definitely my toughness, stamina and quickness. I would describe my self as a very versatile player that always does the little things right.
What area of the game do you need to work on?
My shooting on the run.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse?
Everyone in Yorktown plays lacrosse so I was always around the game since I was a little kid.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I play for Moonlight Lacrosse and the No Limit Ballers. I attended Maverik Showtime, National Invitational 175 and the Moonlight Showcase.
Any final thoughts?
I would like to thank UMBC for giving me an opportunity to play Division I for them. I would also like to thank everyone that has helped me through the recruiting process.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Send an email to info@laxlessons.com, contact Joe Lombardi directly at joe@laxlessons.com or send a Tweet to @Joe_Lombardi or @LaxLessons.
LAXLESSONS Links
Be a Lacrosse Insider
Are you passionate about lacrosse? Do you love being the first to know and always being in the know? Then get access to unprecedented, groundbreaking coverage of summer travel and high school lacrosse and college recruiting now. Become a Lacrosse Insider here.
Recruiting coverage
* Updated tristate recruiting commitment rundown for classes of 2014, ’15, ’16 and ’17
* Class of 2013 commitment rundown by high school/prep school
Lacrosse Insider: Tristate Division I senior (Class of 2014) commitments by college
Lacrosse Insider: Tristate Division I junior (Class of 2015) commitments by college
Lacrosse Insider: Tristate Division I sophomore (Class of 2016) commitments by college
* Recruiting commitment story archive
* 2012 Fall Signing Week story/photo archive
Apps for iPhone/iPad
* Download for free the new LaxLessons’ playbook Android app in Google play.
* Download for free the new LaxLessons’ playbook iPad/iPhone app in the iTunes store.
Connect with us
* Follow LaxLessons on Twitter by clicking here.
* Become a Fan of LaxLessons on Facebook now by clicking here.
Subscribe to our free newsletter
Be sure to sign up for our free online newsletter. Just enter your email address on the “Receive Our Newsletter” link on the homepage of LaxLessons.com.
Posted In: Hudson Valley, Recruiting Rundown, Section 1
