Ourlads' Profile:
2026 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about ZION YOUNG:
Missouri | Hometown: Atlanta, GA | HT: 6055 | WT: 267 | 40 time: 4.65 | Hand: 0938 | Arm: 3338 | Wing: 8034
Two year starter. First-team All-SEC in 2025. Transferred from Michigan State in 2024. Sculpted frame with length and upper and lower body power. Aligns from a wide 9 to a 3 technique in a two and sometimes four point stance. Shows a decent first step and shoots his hands into blocks while sinking his hips to gain leverage. At his best as a run defender. Powerful hands to stack and shed setting the edge versus a tight end. Consistently anchors against powerful blockers. Keeps his feet active to work off blocks and has decent chase speed to make plays outside the box. Solid tackling skill with gather and powerful drive through tackles. As a pass rusher uses an effective bull rush to collapse the pocket and shows a cross chop and arm under move to get free. Has also shown a club and swim move as an inside counter. Keeps his motor running hot and has made plays in the pass rush with second effort. Has some speed to power and is improving with hand usage. He works his hands and gets separation with his long arms. That said there's inconsistency in technique and he can be slow to run a move or counter. Some hip tightness inhibits lateral movement and agility. Lacks bend to consistently turn the corner in the pass rush. Young is a developing player that increased his pass rush productivity with improved technique. His motor and power is his calling card and he has some versatility. His fit is a question but he could play on the edge and slide inside in sub packages.
2025 Stats: 42 T, 16.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 14 QBH, 2 FF. Draft projection: 1st/2nd round