Summary

Colbie Young (23 years old) is a big-bodied, physical wide receiver who began his college career at Miami (2021–2023) before transferring to Georgia for the 2024 season, where he has played through 2025 with no additional transfers. In 2025, Young recorded 26 receptions for 358 yards and 1 touchdown after being limited to only 8 games due to a leg fracture. His 2025 production earned him All-SEC consideration, building on a productive career at Miami where he established himself as a reliable outside receiver prior to transferring. Young has some off-field concerns, including a 2024 suspension for an arrest related to a domestic incident that led to team discipline and raised maturity questions for evaluators. On October 8, 2024, Young was arrested on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on an unborn child following an altercation with a pregnant ex-girlfriend. The report alleged that during an argument, Young squeezed the woman's torso and physically removed her from his apartment. Officers noted bruising and redness on the woman's chest and abdomen. Young graduated with a double major in Sociology and Housing Management & Policy and was a recipient of the Robert P. “Yank” Ludwig Football Scholarship while at Georgia, an honor often awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate strong character and commitment to the program. Coaches still point to his physical tools and willingness to play through contact as strengths, but scouts tend to view him as a player whose evaluation includes both on-field production and off-field decision-making. From an injury standpoint beyond the 2025 fractured leg, Young has been largely available throughout his career, appearing in 52 career games with no major injuries causing extended absences, reinforcing his durability while leaving character as the primary variable in his overall projection.

Strengths

Prototype: Big frame with long arms and naturally expands the QB’s margin, especially on boundary throws. Shows reps where he can go up and finish through contact when properly positioned.
Go Go Gadget Arms: While catch radius and can extend and adjust outside his frame, especially useful on back-shoulders and fades. Size + length make him a viable target on fades, slants, and contested throws inside the 20.
Linear Foot Speed: Covers ground smoothly when working vertically and he can eat cushion and threaten corners who play flat-footed. Despite his massive 220-pound frame, Young recorded the fastest top speed of any wide receiver at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, reaching 19.72 mph during the gauntlet drill.
Blocking Sled: Uses his frame to wall off defenders on the perimeter when engaged. Willing to do the dirty work on the perimeter to carve out second level pops for his teammates.

Weaknesses

Play Like a Big: When corners land first contact, he can get knocked off timing and struggle to re-establish his stem. Despite frame, he’ll allow DBs to crowd him or disrupt him rather than asserting physical control through the route.
Late Separator: Needs time to build speed and struggles to create clean windows on timing routes. Taller frame leads to rounded cuts and DBs stay attached on digs, comebacks, and outs.
Ball Tracking: Flashes strong adjustments but also has reps where he misjudges or slows late. Has the tools to dominate, but doesn’t consistently win when defenders are in-phase.
Limited YAC-er: More of a straight-line runner and doesn’t consistently break tackles or create after the catch. If not getting downfield targets, he doesn’t consistently impact the game underneath.

Outlook

Young projects as a big-bodied, physical boundary receiver with a large catch radius, strong hands, and the ability to win in contested situations, giving him value as a red-zone and possession target. He fits best in pro-style and vertical play-action offenses that emphasize isolation routes, back-shoulder throws, and using size advantages on the outside rather than relying on quick-twitch separation underneath. Young is trending as a Day 2 to early Day 3 prospect with a Round 3–4 projection in the 2026 NFL Draft to a team looking for a reliable perimeter target who can complement speed-based receivers, but if you see a slip on day 3, it will likely because teams aren’t comfortable with the character assessment.

Pro Comparison: Allen Lazard

Team Fits: PHI, NO, MIA, IND, ARI

Report written by Filip Prus