Chase Young

Chase Young Bio

Chase Young is an American professional football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he was a unanimous All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist in 2019 after breaking the school’s single-season sack record with 16.5. Young was selected second overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2020 NFL draft and was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He suffered an ACL tear in 2021, leading to a lengthy recovery that forced him to also miss the majority of the 2022 season. Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, recording a singular sack in Super Bowl LVIII before signing with the Saints the following season.

Early Life and Background

Chase Young was born on April 14, 1999, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He began playing American football as a child, attending St. Columba School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, before transferring to St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland, in 2013. As a freshman, he played as a quarterback, tight end, and outside linebacker before switching primarily to defensive end later that year. Young and his team won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association C-conference championship in 2014. He was also a member of the school’s choir, playing the piano, saxophone, and violin. In 2015, Young transferred to DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he had 19 quarterback sacks and 27 tackles for loss that season, helping the team win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. He was invited to The Opening in July 2016, a college football recruiting camp sponsored by Nike, where he was named MVP at his position. As a senior in 2016, he recorded 19 sacks, 118 tackles, five forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns, leading the team to another WCAC championship. By then, he was recognized as one of the best high school football players in the nation, being included on the 2016 USA Today All-USA team and named all-metropolitan defensive football player of the year by The Washington Post. Young also played for DeMatha’s basketball team alongside Markelle Fultz, who was later selected first overall in the 2017 NBA draft.

Path to American Football

Chase Young received scholarship offers from over 40 universities before committing to Ohio State in July 2016 to play for the Buckeyes, choosing them over schools such as Alabama and Maryland due to their family-oriented approach and his desire to play under defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Young recorded 3.5 sacks, 18 tackles, and a forced fumble as a freshman in 2017. He became a starter during his sophomore season, recording 10.5 sacks despite spraining both ankles halfway through the season. Three of those sacks came against Northwestern in the 2018 Big Ten Football Championship Game. He was named second-team All-Big Ten for his performance. Young was named one of the team captains as a junior in 2019. That year, he tied Ohio State school records for single-game sacks (4) and tackles for loss (5) in a win against Wisconsin. In November 2019, Young was suspended for two games by the NCAA for receiving an unauthorized loan from a family friend. After being reinstated, he recorded three sacks against Penn State. He ended the season with 16.5 sacks, leading the NCAA and breaking the single-season school record previously held by Vernon Gholston. Young was unanimously named to the 2019 College Football All-America Team and won several awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Ted Hendricks Award. He was also a finalist for the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, and Heisman Trophy, becoming only the ninth defensive player since 1982 to be nominated for the latter. Young finished his career at Ohio State with 30.5 sacks in three seasons, ranking second all-time there behind Mike Vrabel.

Chase Young Career

Early Career (2020)

Chase Young decided to forgo his senior year at Ohio State by declaring for the 2020 NFL draft, where he was considered the best overall prospect by many in the media. He attended the NFL Combine but did not participate in any workouts or drills. Young was selected second overall by the Washington Commanders and signed a four-year rookie contract worth $34.56 million on July 23, 2020. He became the fourth defensive lineman consecutively drafted by Washington in the first round. Young was considered the favorite to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award during the lead-up to the season. In his debut, he had 1.5 sacks, four tackles, and a forced fumble in a win against the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the season with 7.5 sacks, leading all rookies, and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers of America.

Breakthrough (2021-2023)

Young’s follow-up season in 2021 saw him record 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during a Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The injury required surgery and led to a lengthy recovery. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp in 2022 and returned to the active roster on November 21, 2022. Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers on November 1, 2023, where he recorded 2.5 sacks and finished the season with 7.5 total. In Super Bowl LVIII, he had one sack in the 25–22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Notable Works and Milestones

Young’s signature work includes his performance in college football, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American and won multiple prestigious awards. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and selected for the Pro Bowl in the same year.

Chase Young Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Chase Young has received numerous nominations, including being a finalist for the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, and Heisman Trophy in 2019.

Chase Young Awards Won

Chase Young has won several awards, including the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl selection in 2020.

Chase Young Family

Chase Young’s father, Greg, played college basketball at Bowie State University and worked as a deputy sheriff. His mother, Carla, works for the Office of Investigations for the United States Department of Transportation. He has a sister, Weslie, who played college basketball at North Carolina Wesleyan.

Personal Life

Chase Young pursued a major in criminology at Ohio State, inspired by his family’s law enforcement background. He was nicknamed “the Predator” during his time with the Buckeyes for his on-field performance. Young is represented by Klutch Sports Group and has appeared in advertisements for various brands. He also performed guest vocals on a track from rapper Wale’s album.