One NFL team will be getting a major steal by drafting underrated Tennessee Vols player
There's a Tennessee Vols player who is flying under the radar that's going to be a massive steal for a team in the 2023 NFL Draft. Vols edge rusher Byron Young is heading to the NFL after spending the last two years at Tennessee. Young, who has been projected by Pro Football Network as a […]
There's a Tennessee Vols player who is flying under the radar that's going to be a massive steal for a team in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Vols edge rusher Byron Young is heading to the NFL after spending the last two years at Tennessee.
Young, who has been projected by Pro Football Network as a day two draft pick, transferred to UT in early 2021 after spending time at Georgia Military College. The talented edge rusher famously worked at a Dollar General, thinking his football career was over, before landing at Georgia Military College and eventually finding his way to Knoxville.
Over the last two seasons, Young has totaled 12.5 sacks for the Vols (including 7.0 sacks this season, which led the team).
Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but the South Carolina native showed over the last two seasons that he's explosive off the line of scrimmage and can overwhelm SEC offensive linemen.
He’s explosive, bendy, amped-up, and brings enough power. And time and time again, active hand usage allows Young to maximize this well-rounded trait framework. The Tennessee EDGE can effectively stack counters and can reset his hands quickly after stalled power rushes, swimming around blockers with second-effort rushes.
Young is able to use his length to hook inside offensive tackles after baiting them upfield, then wrench his way into the pocket. He also has a long-arm-rip move outside and proactively uses his length to bat away attempted extensions while stunting inside.
As a stunter, Young has good spatial awareness. He can play with cushion until gaps open, then explode downhill, preventing tackles from getting hands-on. But as a traditional rusher around the edge, he’s also shown he can multitask while using bend to corner at the apex. He can levy a cross-chop and pry away blockers while entering the pocket.
Young's size — 6-foot-3/245 lbs — is why he's likely going to fall in the draft.
But just like with Trey Smith a couple of seasons ago (he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round and now he's a key starter), someone is going to get a steal by drafting Young late.
Measurables are important in the NFL — not many undersized guys thrive at the next level.
But there are some players where the measurables can be thrown out the window. Young is one of those players.
When a player goes from working as an assistant manager at a Dollar General to leading the No. 6 team in the nation in sacks, there's something special at work. And I believe that's the case with Young.
I'm not saying Young is going to go on to become a Pro-Bowler in the NFL, but I think he can be a key player in the NFL. And a lot of teams are going to find that out the hard way.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
