Former Vols and current Rams OLB Byron Young off to a hot start in the NFL
Tennessee Volunteer fans knew what the Los Angeles Rams were getting when they selected DE/OLB Byron Young in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Sean McVay also knew before the season began, identifying Young as one of the new Rams he expected to make a quick impact. It hasn't taken long for the […]
Tennessee Volunteer fans knew what the Los Angeles Rams were getting when they selected DE/OLB Byron Young in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Sean McVay also knew before the season began, identifying Young as one of the new Rams he expected to make a quick impact.
It hasn't taken long for the rookie to show what they knew: that the former Vol is a playmaker when the lights come on.
Young has started off his first three games in the NFL by being credited with at least a half sack in each game. He has given the Rams an impressive presence off the edge, also compiling 7 quarterback hits in his first three games.
On Monday Night Football against the Bengals, Young earned a sterling grade of 85.8 from Pro Football Focus, the second-highest mark of any defender on the Rams. However, where some players have a good grade and excel in some areas but lack in others, Young has posted a grade of 70 or better in run defense, tackling, pass rush, and coverage, the only player on either team to sweep scores of 70 or better across all applicable categories.
He's also posted a solid grade of 74.8 for season so far, the third best mark on the entire defense behind defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner. He also is the only player on the Rams' roster with a 67.3 or higher grade among all graded categories, something not even Donald can claim.
Young was an impact player in Knoxville, where he churned out 16 sacks, 19 QB hits, and 72 pressures across his last two seasons with the Vols, per Pro Football Focus. His multiple sacks against LSU and Clemson helped the Vols win two of the most memorable games of the season, and his hit on Anthony Richardson on the final play of Tennessee's 38-33 win over Florida might have saved disaster. In short, he made big plays on big stages.
Now he's doing it again on the game's biggest stage. Just as Tennessee fans knew he would.
Former Vols standout Byron Young receives big praise from Rams HC Sean McVay
Former Tennessee Vols standout Byron Young received some big praise this week from Rams HC Sean McVay
