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Chase Young takes home prestigious honor after outstanding rookie season

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

Before the NFL season even started, Chase Young was the favorite to be named the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. On Saturday night, it came to fruition.

Young was named the NFL’s 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year on Saturday night, becoming the fourth former Buckeye in five years to receive the honor. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft had very little transitioning from Ohio State to Washington in his first season in the league.

Young stuffed the stat sheet in his rookie season, totaling 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. He helped lead the Washington Football Team to a playoff appearance after finishing just 3-13 during the 2019 campaign.

As a college player at Ohio State, Young was one of the most intimidating defensive ends in the game. He finished his junior season in 2019 as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, a rarity for college football’s highest individual honor.

Many regarded Young as the top overall prospect available in 2020 NFL Draft, but because quarterback play is so critical in the NFL, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick.

Young’s career is off to a great start, and it’s probably just the beginning for the future star.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB