Good article on former Vol Byron Young

[Freak]

He adds the “if you want to be” because that’s the fuel behind the story of a high school graduate who worked at Dollar General for two years and became one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. And that’s where he’s trending, currently ranking fourth in the league in sacks and being named the first Defensive Player of the Month this season.

He’s just six years removed from being an associate manager at Dollar General.

“I always say,” Young said, “that I’m not supposed to be here.”

Garner rode Young so hard that day, he spent his breaks gasping for air and asking himself a question:

Can you do this?

“It made me question everything,” Young said. “He just had my head all twisted up.”

“We called a weak-side fire zone, where he was the flats defender,” said McCollough, who was a star safety on Tennessee’s defense with Young. “He was on their No. 1. He picked it off and ran 20-something yards. That was the moment I knew he was special. Just seeing his pass-rushing moves and get-off, his freakish athleticism and then to see him catch an interception on the numbers from the line of scrimmage, it was crazy.”

Rams’ Byron Young started out at Dollar General. Now he’s on the verge of NFL stardom

Young didn't have any college offers in high school. But he worked hard, met the right coaches and later became a third-round draft pick.

www.nytimes.com

 

[ohhbother]

I live in Georgetown County, SC. Love driving past his family’s home and seeing all the UT stuff in the yard!

 

[Volprofch05]

Rams’ Byron Young started out at Dollar General. Now he’s on the verge of NFL stardom

Young didn't have any college offers in high school. But he worked hard, met the right coaches and later became a third-round draft pick.

www.nytimes.com

 

[IndianaVol]

Not a more deserving dude to make the Pro Bowl roster !!!

Even better that he's on a team that has as good a chance as any to make a Super Bowl run.

 

[#1fulmerite]

People don’t fully understand or realize just how hard it was for him to accomplish even making the team much less the accolades. When I walked onto college football, it had been a few years since I had played. Not only was I terribly out of shape but my body was older. They made sure he wanted it bad enough because they did everything they physically could to make me quit. Was mentally tough but by far the hardest thing I ever did physically. I’m proud of our VFL!

 

[posivol]

never give up pays off huge

 

[Carl Pickens]

People don’t fully understand or realize just how hard it was for him to accomplish even making the team much less the accolades. When I walked onto college football, it had been a few years since I had played. Not only was I terribly out of shape but my body was older. They made sure he wanted it bad enough because they did everything they physically could to make me quit. Was mentally tough but by far the hardest thing I ever did physically. I’m proud of our VFL!

Where did you play?

 

[#1fulmerite]

Where did you play?

UTM

 

[Carl Pickens]

UTM

What years were you there? A good friend of mine played there in the mid 80’s

 

[#1fulmerite]

What years were you there? A good friend of mine played there in the mid 80’s

Oh, I was there much later; when football at UTM was not very good and before Simpson came along. They had some studs and good teams when they were in the Gulf South conference. When I was there, they were still proud of those 80’s era teams. Seems that a few of those guys at least made it to the league.

 

[Carl Pickens]

Oh, I was there much later; when football at UTM was not very good and before Simpson came along. They had some studs and good teams when they were in the Gulf South conference. When I was there, they were still proud of those 80’s era teams. Seems that a few of those guys at least made it to the league.

A friend of my youngest will be a freshman QB there in the fall.

 

[#1fulmerite]

A friend of my youngest will be a freshman QB there in the fall.

I went to the annual rodeo a few years ago and spent the day on campus. Toured the (new) football facility. It’s top notch compared to when I was there. The field is awesome! Lol-back when I was playing, they had to literally paint the field green; dirt and all! Then again, we weren’t playing the DI schools they play now. Those money games have paid dividends. Back in the day, other kids said their high school locker and weight rooms were better than what we had.

 

[Volnanza]

Young flew under the radar. The Rams got a gem. You see, there was another Byron Young that played defense at Alabama at the same time. He was pretty good and being at Alabama he was rated really high. They even played similar positions in college. He got most of the press (and I think it's because the press is pretty stupid and couldn't figure out that there was two of them). Both are in the NFL. I prefer the VFL version.