Chase Young
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| Chase Young | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Chase Young |
| Birth date | 14 April 1999 |
| Birth place | * Upper Marlboro, Maryland, United States |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in |
| Weight | 264 lb |
| College | Ohio State University |
| Position | Defensive end |
Chase Young is an American professional American football defensive end who plays in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers (as of 2026). A product of Ohio State's storied Big Ten Conference program, he emerged as one of the premier pass rushers in college and entered the NFL as a high first-round draft pick. Young's rapid rise included collegiate awards, media attention, and conversion into a key defensive contributor at the professional level.
Early life and high school
Young was born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and raised in the Washington metropolitan area. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School, a program noted for producing NFL talent, where he played for the Stags under coaches who developed prospects for NCAA Division I FBS competition. During his prep career he competed in regional camps and combines, and he drew recruiting interest from programs including Ohio State University, University of Alabama, University of Georgia, Clemson University, and University of Michigan. Young's high school athletic resume featured participation in USA Football events and showcases that project athletes to NFL scouting combine-level attention.
College career
At Ohio State University, Young redshirted his first year before rotating into the defensive line rotation under head coaches Urban Meyer and later Ryan Day. He played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football program in the 2018 Big Ten Conference football season and the 2019 Big Ten Conference football season, developing alongside teammates such as Justin Fields and featured staff including defensive coordinator Greg Schiano (note: Schiano's involvement varied). In 2019 Young led the Buckeyes and the Big Ten Conference in sacks and tackles for loss, producing dominant performances in marquee games such as matchups against University of Michigan and Penn State. His 2019 season culminated in national recognition from outlets like the Associated Press and award committees tied to the College Football Playoff era. During his Ohio State tenure he was noted for contributions to the program's success in Rose Bowl-level and College Football Playoff discussions.
NFL career
Young declared for the NFL Draft after the 2019 season and was selected with a top pick by the Washington Commanders (then known as the Washington Football Team) in the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed a rookie contract and earned immediate starter snaps under head coach Ron Rivera and defensive staff including coordinator Jack Del Rio. In his NFL debut seasons he registered sacks, quarterback pressures, and tackles that positioned him among the league's young pass rush prospects; he was part of defensive game plans versus quarterbacks from franchises such as the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries and a stint involving a suspension affected continuity; Young later moved on in free agency and joined the San Francisco 49ers' roster, contributing in rotations alongside veterans like Nick Bosa and fitting into schemes run by defensive coaches including Steve Wilks (staffing varied). His NFL career has intersected with league events such as the Pro Bowl selections process and discussions around contract negotiations governed by the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Playing style and strengths
Scouts compared Young's skill set to elite pass rushers thanks to his combination of length, power, and hand technique demonstrated at NFL Scouting Combine-style evaluations and college game film breakdowns. Analysts from outlets associated with ESPN, NFL Network, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame's evaluative community highlighted traits such as initial quickness off the snap, bend around the edge, and use of rip and swim moves against tackles from teams like Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. His run-setting ability and pursuit angles were emphasized in film sessions used by position coaches and strength staffs, drawing on training methodologies common to NFLPA-advised regimens. Strengths noted by coordinators included snap anticipation, counter-moves against double teams, and situational awareness on passing downs in systems influenced by 3–4 defense and 4–3 defense hybrid concepts.
Personal life
Young was raised in a family with connections to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region and has been involved with charitable initiatives in the area, collaborating with local organizations and youth outreach programs. Off the field he has appeared in media interviews on platforms such as ESPN and NBC Sports, and engaged in community events promoted by his NFL clubs. Young's background includes academic enrollment at Ohio State University, where student-athlete protocols intersected with NCAA guidelines; he also participated in NFL community relations programs run by the league office.
Awards and honors
During his collegiate career Young earned several major accolades, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, and recognition as a consensus All-American. He was a leading vote-getter for awards tied to defensive performance in the 2019 College Football Playoff season and was selected to All-Conference teams in the Big Ten Conference. In the NFL Young received PFWA All-Rookie Team consideration and Pro Bowl discussions early in his professional tenure.
Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:American football defensive ends Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players Category:San Francisco 49ers players