Offensive Tackle
Notre Dame
6-8 305
40 time: 5.19
Draft board overall prospect rank: #129
Draft board offensive tackle rank: #13
Overall rating: 64*
1/27/10: After measuring in at 305 pounds, 25 less than he was listed, and a very low number for someone trying to make a name for himself as a mauling right tackle, Young has been really bad in practice. His coaches have been yelling at him all week and he’s just not getting the memo.
1/26/10: Weighing in at 305 when you’re best chance of getting drafted early is as a big mauling right tackle is bad. He’s not a great pass blocker either so scouts may see him as a man without a position.
1/19/10: He should have declared last year and could have been a 1st round pick as a left tackle. However, this year, he was really exposed at the left tackle position for Notre Dame as part of one of the worst offensive lines in the country. He could still be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round as a big run blocking right tackle because of his athleticism and his run blocking skills. He has good upside.
10/31/09: Sam Young has been one of the biggest hyped offensive linemen in the country since he committed to Notre Dame as the top offensive line prospect in 2006. Later in 2006, he became the first Notre Dame freshman ever to start the season opener on the offensive line. He was a freshman All-American in ’06 as well and had a very bright future. He hasn’t really lived up to that hype since his freshman year. He hasn’t improved his pass blocking in the way that scouts felt he would and projects as a right tackle. However, he’ll likely be one of the first right tackles off the board. He’s a big mauling offensive lineman at 6-8 320 and overpowers defenders. He plays with ferocious tenacity on the offensive line and really is a great run blocker. However, he doesn’t have the lateral quickness to be an elite pass protector or left tackle. USC’s quick defensive ends really exposed this earlier this season and made the big fella look silly. He’s a big guy capable of stopping multiple defensive ends, but NFL weak side ends are going to be way too quick and too strong of pass rushers for them to be bothered too much by his height and bulk. He’ll pancake a lot of defenders, but he’ll also get beat way too often. The draft range for him seems to be early 2nd round following the USC game because not too many teams will draft a right tackle in the first round, even if it is a right tackle as strong and solid as Young.
NFL Comparison: Adam Terry
*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here
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