Chase Young collected three national awards last year and it still didn’t feel like enough. A 6’5,” 264-pound monsoon, the baddest man in Columbus took college football by storm in 2019, pacing all FBS pass-rushers in both sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (21) despite serving a two-game suspension for accepting an unauthorized loan (the loan was used to pay for his girlfriend’s trip to the Rose Bowl). The Maryland native has all the makings of an immediate NFL juggernaut.
Here's everything you need to know about the newest Washington Redskin, who was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday's NFL Draft:
Measurables: 6’5”/264
School: Ohio State
2019 Stats: 46 combined tackles (32 solo), 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, 21 tackles for loss
Accolades: Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2019), Chuck Bednarik Award (2019), Ted Hendricks Award (2019), Unanimous First-team All-American (2019), Heisman Trophy Finalist (2019), FBS sack leader (2019), school record for sacks in a single season, First-team All-Big Ten (2019), Second-team All-Big Ten (2018), five-star high-school recruit
Strengths: With Young, you’re getting the entire package. He’s battering-ram strong, built like a Michelangelo sculpture and faster than a Jimmy John’s delivery driver with maddeningly smooth footwork. The laboratory-built 21-year-old has a steamroller’s mentality, inflicting his will on opponents like a war-mongering tyrant hell-bent on world domination. Between his length, explosion and preposterous lateral quickness, Young’s list of positive attributes is longer than a Cheesecake Factory menu. One can’t be sure, but Ohio State’s edge villain may be the “Bad Guy” Billie Eilish was referring to.
Weaknesses: The Jeopardy music is warranted here. Even the nit-pickiest nit-pickers are coming up empty in their continuing search for a chink in Young’s gold-plated armor. His technique could probably stand to improve (his stance is too upright for some evaluators’ taste) and Young isn’t as dominant in the run-stopping medium as he is rushing the passer. Fashion experts would also be quick to point out Young never found a jersey that fit him at Ohio State. But outside of those very minor shortcomings, you’re not going to find a lot wrong with Young, who appears as NFL-ready as any pass-rusher in recent memory.
Player Comparison: Julius Peppers
Like Peppers, who retired fourth on the NFL’s all-time sack list (159.5), Young is a cartoonishly large edge predator shot out of a cannon, unleashing fury on opposing QBs with ruthless ferocity.
What Experts Are Saying
“Young looks like a potential franchise defensive player as an edge rusher capable of producing double-digit sack seasons on an annual basis.” – Charlie Campbell, Walter Football
“Young is a game-changer of an edge prospect. And he’s only going to get better.” – Thor Nystrom, Rotoworld
“Young possesses superior traits and the ability to wreck and alter offensive game-plans as a perennial All-Pro.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram