Ohio State defensive end Chase Young is one of four 2019 Heisman Trophy finalists, and he’s the only defensive player and non-quarterback. He’s joined by LSU’s Joe Burrow, also the favorite, Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts and Buckeye teammate Justin Fields, and all four players are in New York for the ceremony Saturday night when the winner will be announced.
Not only is it rare for a defensive player to be a finalist, but the odds are also against Young and any other defensive player hoping to win. Only one player, Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson, has won the Heisman, and that was back in 1997.
Still, Young’s domination is undeniable. He leads the nation with 16.5 sacks on the season, despite the NCAA suspending him for two games.
He missed Ohio State’s wins over Maryland and Rutgers for violating the NCAA’s arbitrary rules over a small loan he received (and paid back) reportedly so his girlfriend could travel to Pasadena to see Ohio State play in the Rose Bowl last season.
“I feel like, you know, that just helped me to prepare for, you know, my life and future,” Young told ESPN’s Marty Smith about the suspension. “I learned that mentally, I was a lot stronger than I thought I was because I mentally haven’t been tested to that extent.”
He also said this signature Chase Young moment this year at Ohio State was when the Buckeyes beat Penn State, 28-17, in Week 13. In his first game back following the suspension, Young destroyed the Nittany Lions, finishing with three sacks and nine total tackles, five solo.
When asked what it means for him to be a Heisman finalist, Young said:
“From the outside, it’s just, you know, like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s a Heisman finalist.’ But when you’re actually in this position, all the hard work I’ve put in, I think everything falls into place. How my parents raised me — just everything plays a part in helping me get to where I’m at today.”
The Heisman Trophy ceremony is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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