A former Tennessee Vol has a real chance to become one of the NFL’s biggest names this season
A former Tennessee Volunteers standout is poised to become an NFL superstar this fall after a solid first couple of seasons as a pro.
A former Tennessee Vols standout has a real chance to develop into an NFL superstar in 2026.
Former Vols pass rusher Byron Young has already made a name for himself in the NFL — he reached his first career Pro Bowl last season — but he could take his game to the next level this fall.
Young, a third-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 NFL Draft, has totaled 27.5 sacks through his first three seasons in the league, including a career-high 12 sacks last season.
The former Vol will get the benefit of playing across from superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett in 2026. Garrett typically commands extra attention from opposing offenses, which should lead to Young getting plenty of one-on-one opportunities to rush the quarterback.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles seems to agree, as he included Young among his NFL breakout star candidates earlier this summer.
“It can be difficult to find an under-the-radar star on a team with so many very much on-the-radar stars, but Byron Young fits the bill here,” wrote Pereles. “He has already played very well — PFF had him as the No. 10 EDGE in the NFL last year — and now he’ll get a ton of one-on-one opportunities with Myles Garrett on the opposite side.
“Last year, Young notched 12 sacks and made his first Pro Bowl, but he probably wouldn’t come to mind if you had to list the Rams’ top stars. Still, he appears to be on his way to becoming one. His 16.8% pressure rate last year was 11th in the league.”
Byron Young is in line for a big pay day
Young is entering the final season of his rookie contract, and it’s been speculated that he could receive an extension this summer.
The South Carolina native, however, could decide to bet on himself and wait until after the 2026 season to see if he can increase his value after playing alongside Garrett.
But I’m not sure that’s the best idea. Injuries can be unpredictable, and there’s no guarantee that the 2026 season will go like we all think it will for Young. If the Rams give him a fair offer, it might be wise to go ahead and take it.