It’s not a wise move to kick the football to Catholic New Iberia sophomore Kyan Batiste.
West St. Mary found that out the hard way in last Friday’s 52-12 loss to the Panthers, when Batiste scooped up the ball and ran further laterally – going from sideline to sideline and back again – than north to south on an unbelievable touchdown return.
“I always knew I had it in me,” Batiste said of his first special teams touchdown.
Batiste’s primary position is in the secondary, where he plays nickel after making first team all-district as a freshman cornerback.
“He’s a special player,” CHS coach Mattthew Desormeaux said. “He started as a freshman, which doesn’t happen around here often.”
Batiste has also been sensational on offense, teaming up with the area’s leading receiver Khylon Edwards for a one-two punch that has produced 55 catches, approximately 1,000 yards and nine TDs for CHS (5-3, 2-1 in District 8-2A).
“He can do so many things,” Desormeaux said of Batiste, who is a four-sport athlete. “At the next level, I think he could be a strong safety.”
Batiste, who is ranked as one of the top 20 players in the state and top four defensive backs, has been invited to – and attended – every UL home game.
“I like it there,” he said of the Ragin’ Cajuns home venue. “They have a really good atmosphere. They don’t offer sophomores (a scholarship), but they said I’m a big Class of 2029 recruit.”
Batiste, who is patiently waiting for his first scholarship offer, is also on LSU’s radar. The sophomore’s ever-growing resume is beginning to resemble that of another former Catholic High defensive back, Ryan St. Julien, who signed with LSU.
“They are very similar athletes, very fast and very dynamic,” Desormeaux said. “Kyan is a lot thicker.”
Another similarity with Batiste and St. Julien is their prowess in track and field. St. Julien, who was ranked as the No. 30 cornerback in the nation by ESPN coming out of CHS, won a state title in the indoor high jump.
As a freshman, Batiste qualified for the Class 2A outdoor state track meet in four events. He placed second at the regional meet in the 200 meters to LSU receiver signee Brayden Allen of Lafayette Christian, which Catholic High faces next week to conclude the regular season.
Batiste also placed second in the triple jump at the regional and ran on two relay teams that qualified for the state meet.
“He’s a phenomenal kid, even more so off the field,” Desormeaux said.
At home, Batiste’s trophy case is stuffed with just as many baseball accolades than any other sport. During his travel ball days, he was ranked as one of the state’s best outfielders.
In his spare time, Batiste enjoys playing golf.
“I’m coachable,” he said. “I’m a hard-working guy who tries my best in everything I do.”
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