Billy Yates

William LaQuayne Yates (born April 15, 1980) is an American football coach and former offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas A&M and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

Yates also played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Playing career College After graduating from high school, Yates attended Texas A&M University beginning in 1999. He was a reserve offensive lineman in his first two seasons, but started 20 games over his junior and senior seasons in 2001 and 2002.

National Football League

Miami Dolphins Yates was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2003 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He made the Dolphins' 53-man roster out of training camp and saw action in three games as a reserve in 2003. He was waived by the Dolphins on September 5, 2004.

New England Patriots Yates was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots on September 11, 2004, where he spent the remainder of the regular season and playoffs until being activated for Super Bowl XXXIX. He also began the 2005 season on the Patriots' practice squad before being activated on November 12 following the loss of starting center Dan Koppen for the season. He was a reserve offensive lineman for the remainder of the season and playoffs, while also seeing time on kickoff coverage units.

He was released on September 4, 2009.

Cleveland Browns Yates was signed by the Cleveland Browns on September 16, 2009. He played in seven games during his first season with the Browns, but started none. In 2010 he played in nine games, starting three.

Bowling Green State University In 2016, Yates was hired by Bowling Green State University as their head strength and conditioning coach.

Ohio State University Ohio State hired Yates for the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes football team as a defensive quality control coach under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.