Tag: Byron Young

Alabama’s Byron Young named a defensive lineman to watch for 2023 NFL draft

Byron Young is a name to keep an eye on during the 2022 college football season!

Alabama football produces players on both sides of the ball at the collegiate level who end up being drafted and go on to have successful NFL careers. Though the 2022 college football season is months away from kicking off, analysts are looking ahead to see which players at each position from across the nation are worthy of keeping an eye on for the 2023 NFL draft.

Mark Schofield of the Touchdown Wire put together a list of the preseason interior defensive linemen to watch and included rising Crimson Tide star [autotag]Byron Young[/autotag].

In 2021, Young played in 14 games, where he amassed 33 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Schofield offers high praise for Young’s abilities and what he might be capable of in the upcoming season.

“Young played in a rotational role against in 2020, recording 29 tackles as the Crimson Tide won the national championship. Against Arkansas that season, Young tallied a team-high seven tackles, and was named the team’s defensive player of the week by the coaching staff.

“He played in all 15 games last season, making seven starts for Alabama. He recorded 39 tackles on the year, including nine for a loss. Young also notched a pair of quarterback sacks on the campaign. Alabama used him all over the defensive line, as he saw 182 snaps on the edge and 229 on the interior. He has a quick first step and is constantly fighting to get to the ball.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Young and other Alabama players on the 2022 roster that are being watched by NFL draft analysts.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Byron Young discusses Vols’ spring practices

Senior Byron Young discusses Tennessee’s spring practices.

Senior defensive lineman and linebacker Byron Young returns to Tennessee in 2022.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Young appeared in 11 games for Tennessee in 2021. He totaled 46 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception and two pass deflections.

Young enrolled at Tennessee in Jan. 2021 after transferring from Georgia Military College.

He played at Carvers Bay High School in Hemingway, South Carolina.

2022 Vols’ spring practices: Jersey numbers, height, weight for early enrollees, transfers

The Vols kicked off spring practices Tuesday at Haslam Field. Following Tennessee’s second spring practice on Thursday, Young met with media and discussed returning for the 2022 season.

Young’s media availability can be watched below.

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ALABAMA DRAFT TRACKER: Who’s staying, who’s going

Tracking which Alabama players are returning and which are entering the NFL draft

After Monday night’s championship loss to the Georgia Bulldogs a flurry of Alabama players have been making decisions on their playing futures.

Some have entered the transfer portal, but several have also made the decision to enter the NFL draft or remain in Tuscaloosa with the Tide.

With Alabama having such a talented roster, it can be difficult to keep up with what each player has decided to do. To help all of us get a better idea of which players are heading off to the NFL and which are choosing to remain at Alabama, here is the most up-to-date list.

 

5 impact players for the Tide in semifinal matchup with Cincinnati

5 impact players for the Tide in semifinal matchup with Cincinnati

The stage is set and the anticipation is mounting as Alabama and Cincinnati prepare to clash on New Year’s Eve in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Like most contests of this magnitude, a handful of plays made by a handful of players will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game.

Today we are going to look at five impact players for Alabama that I believe Crimson Tide fans need to be on the lookout for come Friday afternoon.

Let’s roll!

Alabama’s defensive stats heading into the BYE week

Here is a closer look at Alabama’s defensive stats as the Tide heads into the BYE week.

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide currently sit ranked at No. 3 with a 7-1 overall record and a 4-1 record in the SEC.

Now that the Tide has entered into its BYE week, I thought it was a good time to take a closer look at some of the team and individual stats on both sides of the football.

Today we look at the defensive side of the football!

First …team stats…

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Grading Alabama’s defensive position groups at the halfway point

Let’s look at how the Alabama defensive position units have graded out at the halfway point of the season!

Unfortunately, we are already at the halfway point of the college football season. After last week’s loss to Texas A&M, Alabama sits at No. 5 in the country with a 5-1 record.

Since we have made it to the halfway point, it is time to give a midseason grade to each of the position groups. Yesterday we looked at the offensive position groups. Today we will look at the defensive position groups! Let’s get started!

Defensive Line B-

This group has been a little disappointing this season, but they have not been bad by any stretch of the imagination. Only one guy has been a consistent force on the defensive line for Alabama and that is Phidarian Mathis.

Mathis has racked up 3.5 sacks through the halfway point, which is a very solid number for an interior defensive lineman.

Some of the players such as Justin Eboigbe, DJ Dale, Byron Young, and even Tim Smith need to become more consistent players for the Tide.

Outside Linebackers A

Will Anderson has been an absolute animal for the Alabama defense. Anderon has three sacks on the season but is also third in the country in tackles for loss with 11.

Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the outside linebacker position opposite of Anderson. Christopher Allen’s season was cut short in the opener against Miami so Drew Sanders replaced the talented Allen. Then against Ole Miss, Sanders suffered a hand injury and is now week-to-week so to speak.

True freshman Dallas Turner has stepped up in the absence of Sanders and is doing a pretty good job.

The outside linebackers have been the most positive group along the defense this season.

Inside Linebackers C+

The lofty expectations for the Alabama defense heading into the 2021 season had a lot to do with the pair of inside linebackers that Alabama would have in Christian Harris and Henry To’oT’o.

Now that we are at the halfway point, it is safe to say those two players have not lived up to expectations. Now don’t get me wrong, they have flashed how great they can, but they both have also missed tackles and missed assignments. And they are both better than what they played so far.

Let’s see if they can turn this around in the second half of the season.

Cornerbacks B+

This group, much like the outside linebacker group, has really played pretty consistently all season. Josh Jobe has had the occasional penalty, but if we are being honest, in the pass and flag happy world in which college football is played, some penalties are to be expected.

Jalyn Armour-Davis has maybe been the surprise player of the season for the Tide. He is always in position and if he doesn’t make a play on the ball, he brings the receiver down quickly with no yards after the catch.

We have also seen the backups get a start this season in Kool-Aid McKinstry and Marcs Banks and they have proven to be valuable depth at the cornerback position.

Safeties / Stars C+

It is a common theme among the Alabama defense this season, the word inconsistent. Alabama returned plenty of experience in the back end of the defense and for whatever reason, they have simply not performed to their capabilities.

Jordan Battle isn’t an elite safety, he’s just steady. DeMarcco Hellams is constantly caught out of position and displays poor open-field tackling. Then you have Malachi Moore and Brian Branch who have yet to make a splash play from the star position.

The season is only half over, so that means there is plenty of time for each position group to correct its mistakes and get back to the Alabama defensive standard.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Byron Young’s eligibility status determined at Tennessee

Byron Young’s eligibility status determined at Tennessee.

Tennessee (1-0) will host Tennessee Tech (0-2) at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

Kickoff is slated for noon EDT and SEC Network+ will broadcast the matchup.

Ahead of Saturday’s Week 3 contest, first-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel met with media.

Heupel discussed junior linebacker Byron Young’s status. Young did not play in Tennessee’s first two games due to eligibility issues.

“Byron will be able to play this week,” Heupel said. “There was a two-week rule of ineligibility by the NCAA. He’s a guy that has grown a bunch in our program. He has added 25, 30 pounds to his frame from when I first arrived here in late January, early February, credit to our strength staff. Through training camp, through spring ball, has been really good as a pass rusher off the edge.

“I think he’s going to add some things we need on that side of the football.”

The 6-foot-3, 243-pound Young transferred to Tennessee from Georgia Military College.

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Byron Young discusses technique, playing for Rodney Garner

Tennessee’s Byron Young discusses technique, playing for Rodney Garner.

Tennessee enters its second week of fall training camp on Monday.

The Vols have practiced four times since camp started Aug. 4.

Following practice No. 3 of fall training camp, junior linebacker Byron Young met with media. Young transferred from Georgia Military College and enrolled at Tennessee in January.

During Young’s media availability, the 6-foot-3, 243-pound linebacker discussed his focal point coming out of spring football.

“My technique was one of my biggest focuses,” Young said. “During the spring, I kind of struggled with that a little bit. Here now in fall camp, I’ve gotten way better with that — my stance and everything. That was my main focus, my technique.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Young also discussed playing for defensive assistant Rodney Garner. He credits Garner for helping with his technique.

“Coach Garner’s on me every day and I’m glad he’s on me like that,” Young said. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. He’s on me every day and that’s another reason why I got my technique down pat. He pushes me, makes me start over, you know what I’m saying? I love it. He’s one of the greats.

“You look at his stats, he’s really one of the greats. I just take in everything he says, take in the coaching and perform.”

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Alabama football countdown: 47 days until kickoff

We are only 47 days away from ALABAMA FOOTBALL!!

The return of college football is quickly approaching, folks. After yet another national championship winning season, Nick Saban and company will be looking for a repeat performance in 2021.

Despite key losses, the Crimson Tide is well positioned to do just that.

The opening week matchup is against the Miami Hurricanes in Atlanta, Ga. set for Sept. 4. And with it now being July 19, we are now only 47 days away from the start of the season!

RELATED: Alabama football countdown: 48 days until kickoff

Junior defensive lineman Byron Young is wearing the No. 47 for Alabama, and has for the last two seasons. The Laurel, Miss. native became a part of the rotation as true freshman, even getting five starts.

That success continued into 2020, as Young finished with with career-highs in tackles (26) and tackles for loss (5.5). In two seasons, he’s had 49 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, making him a valuable part of the Tide’s deep rotation along their defensive front.

Young isn’t the only one to wear the number during the Saban era though. We’ve also seen former outside linebacker Xzavier Dickson wear it as well. We also can’t forget the original No. 47 during the Saban era, Ezekiel Knight.

Dec 5, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Byron Young (47) celebrates after a sack against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

RELATED: Alabama football countdown: 49 days until kickoff

2021 Alabama football schedule

  • Sept. 2 vs. Miami Hurricanes (Atlanta, Ga.)
  • Sept. 11 vs. Mercer Bears (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Sept. 18 at Florida Gators (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • Sept. 25 vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Oct. 2 vs. Ole Miss Rebels (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Oct. 9 at Texas A&M Aggies (College Station, Tex.)
  • Oct. 16 at Mississippi State Bulldogs (Starkville, Miss.)
  • Oct. 23 vs. Tennessee Volunteers (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 6 vs. LSU Tigers (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 13 vs. New Mexico State Aggies (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 20 vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 27 at Auburn Tigers (Auburn, Ala.)

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

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Byron Young discusses Tennessee’s spring practices

2021 Tennessee Vols’ spring football practices.

Tennessee has practiced 12 times this spring under first-year head coach Josh Heupel.

The Vols will hold its annual Chevrolet Orange & White Game Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. EDT. SEC Network+ will broadcast the game.

Tennessee did not practice on Wednesday. During the off-day, JUCO transfer linebacker Byron Young met with media to discuss spring practices.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior transferred to Tennessee from Georgia Military College.

Young totaled 31 tackles and seven sacks in 11 games during the 2019 season at Georgia Military College.

The entire media session with Young can be watched below.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

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