When Magic Johnson took over the ownership responsibility for the Washington commanders, one of the first names he was hoping would make a big impact would probably be Chase Young. A standout defensive end, Chase was quickly gathering steam as a defensive force in the league prior to dealing with a gruesome injury. Growing up in Maryland, Young’s athletic versatility was on full display as he played quarterback, tight end, outside linebacker, as well as defensive end in high school. A musician in his own right, Young was a member of his school’s choir. After shifting schools for a second time, Young came into his own defensively. His defensive presence allowed his team to win the WCAC Championship while going undefeated throughout the season.
After fielding 40+ offers as one of the best defensive prospects in years, Young eventually chose Ohio State as his college. Starting in his sophomore campaign, he was named second-team All-Big Ten despite spraining both ankles during the course of the season. The next year, as captain, he tied the school record for most sacks, and tackles, in a game. He also broke the record for sacks for a season with 16.5. His insane defense garnered him widespread recognition and accolades, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Ted Hendricks Award. He was a finalist for the Walter Camp, Maxwell, and the Heisman Trophy. Later on, he received his place among the Big Ten Network’s 2010s All-Decades Team.
Foregoing the rest of his collegiate career, Chase decided to skip straight to the pros. Widely considered the single best prospect in the draft, he was slotted to go high up in the draft. Unsurprisingly, the Washington Redskins, before their rebranding, selected the dynamic defensive ace with the second overall pick.
What started as a remarkable career, however, quickly turned horrifying. Can the young Chase find a way back to form?
Chase Young's Age
As of August 2023, Chase Young is 24 years old. Chase Young was born on April 14th, 1999 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. With most of his career ahead of him, perhaps Young can go back to the remarkable play he showcased as a rookie.
While he was the favorite to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year before the year even began, Young showcased a truly remarkable season with the Redskins. He became the first rookie in NFL history to tally a sack, two defended passes, a fumble forced, and a 47-yard recovery in a single game. Moreover, his rookie-leading 7.5 sacks earned him the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and a Pro Bowl selection.
Unfortunately, his second season started off to a slow start. Then, to add fuel to the fire, he suffered an ACL tear and one in his patellar tendon leading to a lengthy surgery and recovery process. As a result, he missed the rest of the season, and most of the 2022 campaign as well.
Still incredibly young, Chase will try to get back to the remarkable defensive potential he exhibited in his first year in the league.
FAQs
A. Chase Young wears the number 99 for the Washington Commanders.
A. A tear in his ACL and patellar tendon led to a reconstructive surgery that included grafting part of his patellar tendon from his other knee. As a result of the long recovery period, Chase Young missed part of the 2021 and most of the 2022 season.
A. Chase Young missed almost the entire season. After 22 straight missed games, he was able to suit up for just 3 games to end the season.
A. A little more than the average height of a defensive end, Chase Young stands at 6 feet 5 inches or 1.96 meters.
