The last elite Ohio State pass-rusher scores massive new contract after rocky start to career
The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a College Football Playoff run where their pass rush was a main component for their winning streak. As well as J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer played for the Buckeyes throughout their careers, though, their impact paled compared to Chase Young's. Young was so productive and disruptive that he […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a College Football Playoff run where their pass rush was a main component for their winning streak. As well as J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer played for the Buckeyes throughout their careers, though, their impact paled compared to Chase Young's.
Young was so productive and disruptive that he was a Heisman Trophy candidate in 2019. He racked up 99 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, and 30.5 sacks over three seasons. It was a no-brainer decision for the Washington Commanders to select him No. 2 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The All-American and 2019 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year hasn't had the same success in the NFL after injuries and inconsistencies have added up. However, at just 25 years old, Young is coming off his best overall season.
The New Orleans Saints were impressed enough from their lone year with Chase that they rewarded him with a three-year, $51 million deal.
Young has only totaled 22 sacks over his five years with the Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, and Saints. However, his advanced numbers are much more promising. PFF has Chase as one of the most disruptive pass-rushers in the NFL over the last two years.
He's caused 18 sacks and forced a whopping 140 pressures in that time span. Only Trey Hendrickson, Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, Micah Parsons, Maxx Crosby, George Karlaftis, and Danielle Hunter have more total pressures since 2023.
His run defense has been questionable, largely due to missed tackles. His missed tackle rate has suddenly exploded in the last three years, growing from 2.5% and 4.2% in 2020 and 2021 to an average closer to 25%.
So, while Chase is a flawed player who hasn't earned the raw sack totals that were expected of him coming out from Ohio State, he's being paid like a high-end talent who isn't expected to be a Garrett or Crosby. That's fair, and we hope Chase breaks through this ceiling and continues to ascend.
