Can Byron Young Become Rams Next Impact DL?

The Los Angeles Rams may have found an Aaron Donald successor in defensive tackle Byron Young

The Los Angeles Rams drafted edge rusher Byron Young with the 77th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping to find an eventual successor to future Hall of Famer, Aaron Donald. And, while there may never be another Donald anytime soon, the former Tennessee standout may have the skills to eventually make a big impact.

If you ask any athlete in professional sports if they went through some kind of adversity before they became successful, a heavy majority would say a resounding yes. Young is no different and his trip to fame is quite unique.

Young wasn't heavily recruited out of high school and worked at a Dollar General store after he graduated. However, he continued to pursue his football dreams by walking on the football team at Georgia Military College in 2019.

Young thrived on the JUCO field (seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss), but couldn't play in 2020 due to COVID-19, meaning he had to wait for Power 5 offers until late in the year. He received and accepted an offer from Tennessee and played for them in 2021.

In 10 games, Young was tied for the most sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (11.5) on the team. The only difference is that Young's teammate played three more games than him.

In 2022, Young led Tennessee with seven sacks and recorded 12 tackles for loss. The NFL Combine only increased his NFL Draft stock as the 250-pounder clocked a jaw-dropping 4.43 40-yard dash time.

Young's lightning-quick burst off the edge, combined with his effortless ability to shed offensive tackles could earn him more than just a rotational role in Los Angeles.

The 25-year-old is versatile enough to play strong-side or weak-side defensive end as he switched between the two at Tennessee. He also showed flashes of pass coverage and could handle his own dropping back as an outside linebacker as well. However, he will likely blitz on most plays wherever he's lined up as he's expected to be the starter.

It's uncertain how much longer Aaron Donald will remain a Ram, but if Los Angeles effectively utilizes their tenacious third-round pick, he may have a shot to be the franchise's next impact defensive lineman. 

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