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Eric Yarber
Eric Yarber
Eric Yarber
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‹ The template Infobox gridiron football biography is being considered for merging. ›

Eric Lamone Yarber (born September 22, 1963) is an American football coach and former college player who is currently the wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played two seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver for the Washington Redskins in 1986 and 1987, which included a win in Super Bowl XXII.

Key Information

Early life

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Born in Chicago, Illinois, Yarber grew up in Southern California in South-Central Los Angeles, and graduated from Crenshaw High School. Though he did not play varsity football in high school due to his size, he played junior college football at Los Angeles Valley College.[2] He transferred to Idaho of the Big Sky Conference in 1984 to play for third-year head coach Dennis Erickson.[2][3] Yarber was the conference MVP in his senior season of 1985, and the Vandals won their first league title since 1971.[4][5] Yarber led the Big Sky in receiving with over 1,100 yards and ten touchdowns during the eleven-game regular season.[6] Teammates on the Palouse included quarterback Scott Linehan and offensive lineman Tom Cable, both future NFL head coaches, and lineman Mark Schlereth.[3][7]

Yarber was selected in the twelfth round of the 1986 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins and played two seasons.[8]

Coaching career

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Yarber began his coaching career back at Idaho in 1996 as a secondary defensive back coach under second-year head coach Chris Tormey. He was the wide receivers coach at UNLV in 1997. The next year, head coach Dennis Erickson hired Yarber to be the offensive quality control coach of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL, and coached under Erickson from 1998–2004 and 2007–2009.

From 1999–2002, Yarber was on Erickson's staff at Oregon State in the Pac-10 Conference. In 1999, he was the running backs coach, and the next year he became the wide receivers coach. He coached Chad Johnson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh during their time with the Beavers. He followed Erickson back to the pros with the San Francisco 49ers, as the receivers coach in 2003 and 2004. Following Erickson's dismissal, Yarber was the receivers coach for the Washington Huskies for two seasons under head coach Tyrone Willingham.[9] In 2007, Yarber became the receivers coach for the Arizona State under Erickson through 2009.[10]

In 2010, Yarber moved back to the NFL for two seasons as the wide receivers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[11] Following a 4–12 record in 2011, Raheem Morris and his staff were fired on January 2, 2012. A week later on January 9, Yarber was named the wide receivers coach for UCLA under new head coach Jim Mora. He returned to the NFL in 2017 as the wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Rams. Yarber won his first championship as coach and second overall after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.[12]

Personal life

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Yarber received his bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho in 1995. He was married in June 2005 to his wife Michele and they have one son Kameryon.

References

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[edit]
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Eric Yarber

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Eric Yarber (born September 22, 1963) is an coach and former who has served as the wide receivers coach for the of the () since 2017. A native who attended , Yarber played college football at the , where he earned Kodak All-American honors and was named MVP as a senior after recording 75 receptions for 1,103 yards. He was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 12th round of the and played two seasons (1986–1987) primarily as a punt returner, appearing in 14 games with 57 punt returns for 487 yards, one reception for five yards, and contributing to the team's victory in 1988, where he led the squad with 37 punt returns during the season. Yarber began his coaching career in 1996 as a defensive backs coach at before serving as wide receivers coach at UNLV in 1997. He entered the as an offensive quality control coach with the in 1998 and later held wide receivers coach positions with the (2003–2004), (2010–2011), and the (2017–present), while also coaching at the college level for Oregon State (1999–2002), Washington (2005–2006), Arizona State (2007–2009), and UCLA (2012–2016). Under his guidance with the , the wide receiving corps ranked 10th in the in receiving yards (3,868) and 14th in receptions (367) during the 2024 , with standout performances from rookie , who in 2023 recorded 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns in his debut year, becoming the second player in history to achieve at least 150 receptions, 2,000 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns in his first 25 games. Yarber was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 for his playing accomplishments.

Early life

Upbringing

Eric Yarber was born on September 22, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in South-Central in a neighborhood near the . Yarber's early years were shaped by the urban environment of , a challenging area marked by presence during the 1970s, though he described his personal experience as positive and supportive. He attended Budlong Elementary School and John Muir Junior High School. Despite his small stature—standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing around 125 pounds by his teenage years—Yarber avoided negative influences like gangs through his focus on athletics, which earned him respect and protection within the community. His initial exposure to football came through Pop Warner leagues, where he honed his skills despite needing to use rocks and weights to meet minimum weight requirements. As a diehard fan of the Los Angeles Rams, Yarber drew inspiration from players like wide receiver Harold Jackson, fueling his passion for the sport in a community that valued athletic achievement as a pathway to opportunity. This foundation led him to pursue high school athletics at Crenshaw High School.

High school career

Eric Yarber attended in , , where he graduated in 1981. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing just 125 pounds, Yarber was deemed too small to compete on the varsity football team under the Los Angeles City Section's exponent system, which factored in age, height, and weight. As a result, he played on the B team during his final two years, honing his skills despite the limitations. Yarber's time at Crenshaw instilled a strong , as he trained relentlessly with a "chip on his shoulder" to overcome his physical disadvantages. Although specific standout performances from his B-team games are not widely documented, his persistence there caught the attention of peers and laid the groundwork for further development. Following graduation, Yarber transitioned to to continue his football journey, following friends from Crenshaw and sitting out his first season before earning a spot on the team. This move marked the beginning of his recruitment path, as his growth at the level eventually led to a scholarship offer from the .

Playing career

College football

After playing at Los Angeles Valley College in 1982 and 1983, Yarber transferred to the in 1984 to continue his career. As a for the in the , Yarber became a cornerstone of the team's passing attack during his two seasons from 1984 to 1985. Over his Idaho tenure, he recorded 129 receptions for 1,920 yards and 17 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the conference's elite playmakers. In 1985, his senior year, Yarber led the Vandals with 75 catches for 1,103 yards, earning him the award and All-American honors. Yarber's standout performances were pivotal in key games, including a season-opening victory over Mankato State on September 14, 1985, where he exploded for 221 receiving yards—a single-game school record that highlighted his speed and route-running ability. His contributions bolstered ' offensive strategy, which emphasized a balanced passing game under quarterbacks and Rick Sloan, helping the team achieve a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 conference mark to claim their first outright Big Sky title since 1971. Yarber's reliability as a deep threat and possession receiver stretched defenses, enabling the Vandals to average strong yardage through the air and secure a playoff berth in the NCAA Division I-AA tournament.

Professional career

Eric Yarber was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 12th round (323rd overall) of the out of the . His performance as the MVP in his senior year at aided his draft prospects despite the late-round selection. Yarber joined the as a and punt returner, playing for the team from 1986 to 1988 and appearing in 14 games over his first two seasons, with 2 games in 1986 and 12 in 1987. He remained on the roster in 1988 but did not appear in any games. Over his brief NFL tenure, Yarber recorded 1 reception for 5 yards on offense and 57 punt returns for 487 yards. He contributed to ' success as a roster member during their 1987 championship run, which culminated in a victory in against the .

Coaching career

College positions

Yarber entered college coaching in 1996 at his alma mater, the , where he served as the secondary coach under Chris Tormey. In 1997, he moved to UNLV as the wide receivers coach under Jeff Horton. From 1999 to 2002, Yarber joined Dennis Erickson's staff at Oregon State, initially coaching running backs in 1999 before transitioning to s for the next three seasons. During his tenure, Oregon State achieved notable success, including a 2000 season that culminated in a victory and a No. 4 national ranking, with Yarber contributing to the development of , who later became an standout. Yarber coached wide receivers at the from 2005 to 2006 under head coach . He was recognized as one of the program's top recruiters during this period, helping to bolster the Huskies' talent pipeline despite challenging team records. In 2007, Yarber returned to Erickson's staff at Arizona State as wide receivers coach, a role he held through the 2009 season. Under his guidance, the Sun Devils posted strong offensive outputs, including a 10-3 record and appearance in 2007; in 2009, he developed receivers Kyle Williams, who led the team with 815 receiving yards, and Chris McGaha, who earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors. Yarber spent 2012 to 2016 as wide receivers coach at UCLA under head coaches and Jim Mora. His efforts contributed to the development of several NFL prospects, including Shaq Evans, whom he helped achieve a breakout senior year in 2013 with 47 receptions for 709 yards and nine touchdowns, and a fourth-round selection in the . In 2012, Yarber's unit featured Evans with 33 catches and Jerry Johnson Jr. with career highs in receptions and yards, supporting UCLA's Pac-12 South Division title. Over his tenure, three of his wide receivers were drafted into the , underscoring his impact on player preparation and recruiting in . Yarber's background as an informed his emphasis on route precision and contested-catch techniques, enhancing the Bruins' passing attack.

NFL roles

Yarber entered the in 1998 as an offensive quality control coach for the . He transitioned to the in 2003, serving as wide receivers coach for two seasons and guiding receiver to a 1,000-yard receiving season in his first year. Yarber returned to the in 2010 with the as wide receivers coach, where he contributed to the development of second-round pick Arrelious Benn and other young talent over two seasons. Since joining the in 2017 as s coach—entering his ninth season in 2025—Yarber has been instrumental in shaping one of the league's most dynamic receiving groups. Under his guidance, achieved the NFL's receiving triple crown in 2021 with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns, becoming the first player in history and the 16th overall to do so. Yarber's work with the culminated in a victory at in 2022, marking his first championship as a coach. In the 2025 season, Yarber has continued to elevate the ' receiving corps, praising new addition for his explosiveness and leadership while integrating him with emerging talents like .

Personal life

Education

Yarber began his higher education at , where he played junior college football from 1982 to 1983 while engaging in initial academic studies as a student-athlete. He transferred to the , where he continued his football career from 1984 to 1985 alongside his undergraduate coursework, achieving success on the field during that period. Following the end of his professional playing career in 1988, Yarber returned to to complete his in in 1995, demonstrating a commitment to finishing his academic pursuits amid the transition to . This post-playing completion of his degree provided a foundational academic background that supported his shift into a coaching role, emphasizing discipline and perseverance learned through balancing athletics and education.

Family

Eric Yarber married his wife, Michele, in June 2005. The couple has two sons, Robert and Kameryon. Yarber and his family have resided in , aligning with his long-term connection to the city from his early years and facilitating family stability amid his tenure as wide receivers coach for the .

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YarbEr20.htm
  2. https://www.therams.com/team/coaches-roster/eric-yarber
  3. https://nihof.org/inductee/eric-yarber/
  4. https://uclabruins.com/staff-directory/eric-yarber/508
  5. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2024.htm
  6. https://lasentinel.net/local-legends-eric-yarber.html
  7. https://lastandardnewspaper.com/index.php/sports/1013-local-legend-eric-yarber-crenshaw-high-school-alum-and-rams-wr-coach.html
  8. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-27-sp-920-story.html
  9. https://www.ocregister.com/2017/02/02/rams-expected-to-hire-ucla-receivers-coach-eric-yarber/
  10. https://bigskyconf.com/custompages/football/2010/Section42010.pdf
  11. https://uclabruins.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/eric-yarber/712
  12. https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/huskies-vandals-are-connected/
  13. https://ulm_ftp.sidearmsports.com/pdf9/2775335.pdf
  14. https://govandals.com/sports/football/schedule/1985
  15. https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Eric_Yarber
  16. https://thesundevils.com/staff/eric-yarber
  17. https://osubeavers.com/sports/2011/11/2/208333034
  18. https://gohuskies.com/sports/2013/4/18/208223485
  19. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-football-assistant-to-sun-devils/
  20. https://uclabruins.com/sports/football/roster/shaquelle-evans/3705
  21. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/shaquelle-evans-1.html
  22. https://www.seahawks.com/news/on-this-date-dennis-erickson-adds-to-coaching-staff-151986
  23. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-finalize-2010-coaching-staff-2143114
  24. https://media.rams.1rmg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24114904/RAMS-FINALIZE-2025-COACHING-STAFF.pdf
  25. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/still-playing-high-level-davante-adams-embraces-mentor-role-rams
  26. https://www.therams.com/news/ota-observations-wide-receivers-coach-eric-yarber-davante-adams-all-that-was-advertised-improvement-puka-nacua-tutu-atwell-jordan-whittington-konata-mumpfield
  27. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2012/01/09/former-wrs-coach-eric-yarber-lands-at-ucla/
  28. http://nflconcussionlitigation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Abraham-v.-NFL.pdf
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