Summary

Zion Young (23 years old) is a long, athletic defensive end who began his college career at Michigan State (2020–2022) before transferring to Missouri for the 2023 season, where he has played through 2025 with no additional transfers. In 2025, Young recorded 34 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, serving as a rotational edge presence who provided length and versatility along Missouri’s defensive front while contributing in sub-package pass rush situations. His production earned him All-SEC consideration, building on a multi-year career in which he developed into an experienced, scheme-versatile defender capable of aligning across the front. Young’s football career nearly ended before it truly began when he flunked out of his freshman year of high school. He had to repeat the year and put in significant academic work to return to the field, eventually becoming an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2023 as a sociology major. Young is known within the program as a vocal, high-energy personality who brings intensity to practices and games, but that same edge has occasionally crossed into volatility, as he was involved in the Michigan State tunnel incident in 2022 and later faced a DWI-related arrest in 2025, raising legitimate maturity and decision-making questions for evaluators. Teammates and coaches still point to his effort level and willingness to bring energy as positives, though scouts tend to view him as a player who requires structure to stay consistent both on and off the field. From an injury standpoint, Young has been largely durable throughout his career, appearing in 58 career games with no major injuries causing extended absences, reinforcing his availability while leaving his evaluation centered more on consistency and discipline than health.

Strengths

Ent: Standing at 6'6" with 33-inch arms, draft analysts have famously compared his physical build to an "Ent" from Lord of the Rings. Uses long arms to keep tackles off his chest when he lands first and creates separation early in reps. Has the build to develop into a more complete edge with added mass and power.
First Step Flash: Can win the edge initially when he times the snap, forcing tackles to open their hips. Will swipe and attempt to clear the punch rather than just running into blocks.
Effort + Pursuit + Motor: Covers ground well when chasing and shows up on backside effort plays. Keeps working even if the first move doesn’t win and effort shows up late.
Disruption Role: More effective on slants and stunts where he can attack space instead of anchoring. Can play wider or reduce inside depending on front and situation.

Weaknesses

Stuck: Wins positioning early at times but doesn’t convert it into clean wins and gets stuck on blocks. Comes off low occasionally, but stands up on contact losing leverage and power advantage.
Three Point Conversion: When tackles or tight ends get into him square in the run game, he can be widened and lose edge integrity. Tackles can sit on his speed because he doesn’t convert to collapse the pocket.
Hand Coordination: Swipes are active but not always effective and often misses or clears without gaining control. If his first move is stopped, he doesn’t consistently transition to a secondary plan.
Rigid: Can get around the edge, but doesn’t consistently flatten/bend and close tight to the QB. Athletic flashes are there, but consistent disruption hasn’t matched the physical profile.

Outlook

Young projects as a long, athletic edge defender with good first-step quickness, active hands, and the ability to disrupt passing lanes, giving him intriguing upside as a developmental pass rusher. He fits best in attacking defensive schemes that allow him to rush from wide alignments and use his length and burst to create pressure rather than consistently taking on power in tight fronts. Young is trending as a Day 2 to early Day 3 prospect with a Round 3–5 projection in the 2026 NFL Draft to a team looking to develop a high-upside edge with rotational pass-rush value.

Pro Comparison: Jarvis Moss

Team Fits: NE, LV, KC, MIA, TB

Report written by Filip Prus