‘You’ve got to buckle in’ — VFL Byron Young finds himself on one of the NFL’s most prestigious lists, and he could be even higher next year
The former Tennessee standout has finally caught the attention of his peers after a Pro Bowl season in 2025.
2025 was a terrific year for former Tennessee Vols and current Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Byron Young. And a Pro Bowl year for the rising star could have been just the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come.
The NFL is rolling out their list of top 100 players as voted on by NFL players. Young made the list at No. 84.
VFL and Rams EDGE Byron Young checks in at No. 84 on NFL Top 100 list
“He’s just one of those intense, dog-type of guys,” said Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young said of Young.
“You love that competition when you’re going up against him. You’ve got to buckle in for that day.”
The Panthers’ starting QB would know, as Young and the Rams ended the Panthers’ season in Charlotte back in January in the wild card round of the NFL Playoffs. Young had eight tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack in the teams’ regular season matchup as well.
Young has made a notable impact in each of his first three seasons after being taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Rams. After 8.0 and 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons, he cracked the double digit mark last year with 12.0, earning Pro Bowl honors for the first time.
The outlook and ceiling for Young’s 2026 season is sky high, thanks in part to the mega-trade that the Rams pulled off this offseason. LA pulled off a trade with the Cleveland Browns to land sure-fire future Hall of Famer Myles Garrett. With edge rusher Jared Verse leaving the Rams in the trade, Garrett and Young are set to wreck opposing defenses together for years to come.
And that could help Young find himself even higher on the NFL Top 100 list in 2027 and years beyond.