Young is one of the most powerful athletes in the college football ranks. The former defensive lineman made a successful switch to the offensive side of the ball as a senior, establishing himself as one of the best drive blockers in the Mountain West Conference. Young lettered three times in football at Hillcrest High School.

He attended Dixie State College upon graduation, where he earned All-America honors as a sophomore. He made 15½ quarterback sacks from the defensive end position, leading Dixie to an 11-1 record. Young was named the NJCAA Region XVIII Player of the Year.

Young transferred to Brigham Young in 2002. He appeared in 10 games on defense, recording 13 tackles (6 solos) as a reserve. He was shifted to offensive guard in 2003, spending the season learning his new position as a redshirt. He then moved into the starting lineup at left guard in 2004, earning All-Mountain West Conference second-team accolades.

ANALYSIS:

Positives: Has a wide body with good overall muscle definition, thick chest, broad shoulders, big bubble, wide waist and hips, thick thighs and calves … Developing talent who carries over that aggressive defender’s mentality to his new life on the offensive line … Shows quickness, pop and explosion coming off the snap and is flexible in his movements, getting his hands up immediately off the snap to ride defenders wide … Shows very good lateral agility and balance working in space and displays the foot agility and hip swerve to get back smoothly and seal off the edge in pass protection … Uses his raw upper-body power to engage and sustain through drive blocks, generating enough force behind his hand punch to consistently rock defenders back on their heels …

Delivers a punishing hand jolt and shows the temperament to take on stunts and blitzes with force … Can create immediate movement off the snap with his leg drive … Can accelerate his feet to gain advantage working in the second level … Has the balance to stay on linebackers when working in the second level … Can roll his hips and hit defenders on the rise … Works to finish and plays with very good intensity and effort … Shows flexibility and change-of-direction agility to get out front on traps and pulls … Uses his hands effectively to keep defenders off his body and has the power to outmuscle his opponent once he locks on … Gets good body position and shows good balance in his kick slide.

Negatives: Still learning proper foot technique, but that is due to limited time at his position … A little undersized to play guard and needs to add more bulk to his frame, but compensates with raw power … A bit clumsy in his movements upfield, and needs to play with more consistent leverage … Despite his strength, he needs to stay lower in his pads when anchoring, as the larger defenders can push him back into the crease … Has made goods strides in his pass set, but needs technique refinement, as he tends to get up on his heels …

Tries to win battles with his upper-body strength while keeping his base too narrow, causing him to trip over his feet at times … While fluid in his lateral movements, he needs to do a better job of taking shorter angles to the linebackers … Battles tough at the line, but needs to be a little more aware of twists and games (defensive alignment recognition skills have not yet developed).

INJURY REPORT

No injuries reported.

AGILITY

CAMPUS: 4.99 in the 40-yard dash … 535-pound bench press … 700-pound squat … 378-power clean.

COMBINE: 5.06 in the 40-yard dash … 2.92 20-yard dash … 1.81 10-yard dash … 4.37 20-yard shuttle … 7.46 three-cone drill … 35-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-7 broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 43 times … 34 1/8-inch arm length … 9 7/8-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Lettered three times in football at Hillcrest (Salt Lake City, Utah) High School.

PERSONAL

Physical Education major … Son of Bob and Diane Young … An Eagle Scout at age 14, earning a total of 64 merit badges … Born July 15, 1981 … Resides in Salt Lake City, Utah.