Wednesday, January 7, 2026

2026 NFL Draft Prospect DE Zion Young

Scouting Reports:





Articles:


5 first-round talents still available entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft (5. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri Tigers - 6’5″, 262 lbs | 2025 stats: 42 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 55 pressures (13 games).  Zion Young is the kind of player defensive line coaches draw up on a whiteboard. Six foot five, 262 pounds, 33-inch arms, a 96 percent run defense grade from PFF in 2025, and enough pass rush technique to generate 55 pressures against SEC competition. He was a team captain at Missouri, a first-team All-SEC selection, and one of the more complete edge prospects in this class.  Two things pushed him out of the first round. The first is athleticism. Young does not have an elite burst off the line and lacks the second gear speed to consistently win the corner against longer, more athletic NFL tackles. His pass-rush repertoire is effective but fairly limited once his initial move is absorbed. Teams drafting premium edge rushers in Round 1 want the full package, and Young does not quite fit that profile.  The second is off-field. Young was arrested on a DWI charge in December 2025 that remains pending. Some teams will have removed him from their boards entirely because of it.  For teams comfortable with the legal situation and willing to prioritize run-stopping over pass rush explosiveness, Young represents legitimate Day 2 value.) (4-23-26):  https://www.thebiglead.com/5-first-round-talents-still-available-heading-into-day-2-of-the-2026-nfl-draft/

25 Best NFL Draft Fits For the Lions Ranked by Round and Impact (10. EDGE Zion Young:  Young doesn't have the flashy production that some of his EDGE counterparts have, but may be one of the best when it comes to stuffing the run. This is a trait the Lions were hoping to get out of Marcus Davenport, but the veteran couldn't stay healthy. Now, Young presents the opportunity to add a young defender who complements Hutchinson nicely.) (4-17-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/25-best-nfl-draft-fits-for-lions-ranked-by-round-impact-2026

Most NFL-Ready Edge Rushers Who Should Be Available on Day 2 (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Pass rushers capture national attention, but early-down run stoppers tend to make quicker acclimations to the NFL. Missouri's Zion Young posted a team-high 16.5 tackles for loss this past season. The Atlanta, Georgia native is a 262-pound well-built edge rusher 33-inch arms and 9-inch hands. Young uses his measurables to routinely win early-down battles in the trenches. On film, he lacks above-average traits as a pass rusher, though he did post a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2025, indicating he's improving.) (4-16-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/most-nfl-ready-edge-rushers-who-should-be-available-on-day-2

Albert Breer’s Mailbag: What Trade Compensation for A.J. Brown Would Look Like (Then, you have a group of guys that includes Missouri’s Zion Young, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas and Clemson’s T.J. Parker.  In that last group, I think it comes down to what exactly you’re looking for. Howell and Thomas are smaller rushers that bring a lot of juice off the edge, but there’s some concern on how they’ll project in your base defense and hold up against the run. Then, you have Faulk and Young, who are bigger, longer, sturdier base ends, who don’t have that same sort of pass-rush value, needing more development in that area. Parker’s closer to a combination of the two, but had a disappointing season in 2025 after a big ’24.) (4-15-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/aj-brown-trade-compensation-albert-breer-mailbag

Ranking the 10 best edge rushers in 2026 NFL Draft (8. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (6-6, 262 pounds):  Young is much like Howell with his relentless energy in getting to the quarterback. He can be inconsistent with his technique, in which his instincts can slow his burst, but he will be a strong rotation producer at first.  Draft projection: Early-to-mid second round) (4-15-26):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-2026-prospects-edge-rusher-rankings/a12cde571d83ab9dcca568ee

2026 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings Featuring Rueben Bain Jr. & Zion Young (DE Zion Young, Missouri (6’6” and 260 lbs.):  Young has a better skill set for 3-4 defense if he can add the needed bulk and maintain the same level of play. His success is driven by power, strength, and high octane, but he falls short of NFL expectations in foot speed and coverage area. Young is at his best when being the top dog, attacking the line of scrimmage, but physical offensive linemen will force him to secondary moves, which lack winning pizzazz. He projects better against the run than getting to the quarterback. Over four seasons (46 games) at Michigan State and Missouri, Young made 50 tackles with 81 assists and 11.5 sacks.) (4-15-26):  https://www.si.com/onsi/fantasy/rankings/2026-nfl-draft-defensive-end-rankings-featuring-rueben-bain-jr-zion-young

Ranking the top 10 edge rushers in the 2026 NFL Draft (8. Zion Young, Missouri, 6-6, 262.  Stout, rangy, assignment-sound edge-setter. Won’t win with his first step but will walk most single blockers backward (53 pressures in 2025). Used to double-teams. Capped strong Senior Bowl week by winning Player of the Game. Contagious energy. Two arrests (DWI, assault).) (4-10-26):  https://nypost.com/2026/04/10/sports/ranking-the-top-10-edge-rushers-in-the-2026-nfl-draft/

Top 25 Prospects For The Detroit Lions In The 2026 NFL Draft: If the Lions wind up with any of these guys, they had a good draft (7: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri - Average Draft Position: 42nd.  AtoZ Sports big board ranking: 38th.  The Beast Ranking: 37th.  Not long ago, there was another Missouri edge that everyone thought the Lions might take. That was Darius Robinson. This guy is a better prospect. He’s coming off a big 51-pressure, eight-sack season, and he had an elite run-defense grade. Right up the Lions’ alley.) (4-8-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/top-25-prospects-for-the-detroit-lions-in-the-2026-nfl-draft-if-the-lions-wind-up-with-any-of-these-guys-they-had-a-good-draft/

2026 NFL Draft: 5 prospects who could sneak into the first round (EDGE Zion Young, Missouri - PFF Big Board Rank: 40.  This year’s crop of high-end edge defenders includes a number of standouts, including potential top-10 picks in Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey. It’s possible that seven edge rushers could be off the board by the start of the second round, and Young is firmly in that mix.  In his second season at Missouri, Young blossomed into a dominant force. He earned a career-high 85.0 overall PFF grade, powered by an 82.7-plus mark against both the pass and run. Likewise, Young’s 17.4% pass-rush win rate tied for 19th among qualifiers at the position.  Following both a great year and an impressive Senior Bowl, Young has seen his stock skyrocket over the last three months. With franchises always desiring more help rushing the passer, it wouldn’t come as a shock if Young were nabbed in the first round. The 49ers, Patriots and Seahawks all make sense for the former Tiger.) (4-7-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2026-nfl-draft-5-prospects-who-could-sneak-into-the-first-round

What does the SackSEER model say about the top edge rushers in the 2026 NFL draft? (The overrated edge rusher - Zion Young, Missouri:  SackSEER projection: 16.4 sacks through Year 5.  Scouts Inc. ranking: 30.  Similar historical prospects: Uchenna Nwosu, Andre Branch.  Young comes out as the most likely to disappoint of the potential first-round prospects. His collegiate sack production was middling, with only 6.5 sacks in his senior year and just five combined sacks in the three seasons before that. His 4.70-second 40 is also fairly average.) (4-5-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48359548/2026-nfl-draft-edge-rusher-projections-rankings-historical-comps-prospects

2026 NFL Draft edge rankings: Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey headline class with plenty of good (if not great) prospects (5. Zion Young, Missouri:  He's a rugged defender who doesn’t have ideal bend but can knock blockers back to collapse the pocket and has the strength and length to set the edge in the run game. Young has some versatility to move across the defensive line in sub-packages and is an overall competitive player who takes it to blockers every snap and will try to chase plays down. His heavy-handed style reminds me a bit of old Patriots defender Trey Flowers. — NT) (3-31-26):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-draft-edge-rankings-rueben-bain-jr-david-bailey-headline-class-with-plenty-of-good-if-not-great-prospects-211443338.html

2026 NFL Draft EDGE Rankings: David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr. headline deep, talented class (3. Zion Young, Missouri:  Young has the build (6’6, 262 pounds with 33-inch arms) and play strength of an NFL edge defender. He has always been a hardnosed run defender at the point of attack, but the pass rush greenlight went on for him in 2025 (he increased his win rate from 11.1% in 2024 to 17.5%).  Missouri used Young both as a stand-up pass rusher and with his hand in the dirt. He easily absorbs contact and will destroy pullers coming his way. Young wins often by converting speed to power, but developed an inside move that expanded his arsenal. He’s not the fastest player and needs to keep his wide frame off of blockers, but he’s a three-down player with ideal strength.) (3-31-26):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-draft-edge-rankings-david-bailey-rueben-bain-jr-headline-deep-talented-class

Pro Day Takeaways: Spencer Fano Surges Into Top-10 Talk as Zion Young, Kevin Coleman Jr. Boost Stock (The entire league was on hand for Missouri’s pro day, as the program has as many as four top-100 picks.  Defensive end Zion Young tipped the scales at 267, five pounds heavier than the combine, and timed 4.77 seconds in the 40 with a super-quick 10-yard split of 1.72 seconds. Young is now getting serious consideration at the back end of Round 1.) (3-21-26):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-pro-day-takeaways-spencer-fano-surges-into-top-10-talk-as-zion-young-kevin-coleman-jr-boost-stock/

TWENTYMAN: 6 pro days to watch this week (4. Missouri, Fri., March 20 - Who to watch: Edge rusher Zion Young (6-6, 262) will likely be a first-round pick, but teams still need to measure his athletic traits and explosiveness as he opted to wait until Missouri's pro day to test. Young did on-field drills in Indianapolis and looked smooth doing so. If his explosive traits match the on-field work, he should hear his name on Day 1 of the draft.) (3-15-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-6-pro-days-to-watch-this-week-allen-freeling-ioane


What I learned at the NFL combine: Detroit Lions buzz and draft targets (If I had to pick a few names of players who could be fits for the Lions in the first round right now: Monroe Freeling (Georgia), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Vega Ioane (Penn State), Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo), Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), Ahkeem Mesidor (Miami), Blake Miller (Clemson), Caleb Lomu (Utah) and Zion Young (Missouri). Subject to change, of course.  10. Curious about the edge class, I asked an NFC defensive coach to rank the following edge rushers: Mesidor, Young, Faulk, Clemson’s T.J. Parker, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell. His order:  1. Faulk, 2. Young, 3. Howell, 4. Mesidor, 5. Thomas, 6. Parker.  12. As for other edges in this class, I left the combine thinking the league is higher on Young than draft circles right now. He’s long, powerful and violent in the run game (9.3 percent run-stop rate last season). He measured at 6-6, 262 pounds with 33-inch arms. He works with pass-rush specialist Brandon “BT” Jordan in the offseason to refine his rush plan. He’s a tone setter in practice, bringing an alpha mentality and infectious energy. Curious to see where he lands.) (3-5-26):  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7083679/2026/03/05/lions-combine-analysis-needs/

How 2026 Combine Changed the Detroit Lions Draft Board (While David Bailey and Arvell Reese will both likely be off the board, some combination of Cashius Howell, Keldrick Faulk, Zion Young and Akheem Mesidor could be available.  Of that group, Young profiles as the closest fit to what Detroit has targeted in the past given his production as a run defender. Meanwhile, someone like Faulk or Mesidor could bring more immediate pass-rush production.) (3-1-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/how-2026-combine-changed-detroit-lions-draft-board

2026 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, best workouts, risers (How did other top prospects look on Day 1? Zion Young, Edge, Missouri:  Young was among several defensive linemen who ran the 40-yard dash, but he showed out when performing positional drills. Young's "wave" drill was clean, showing quick feet and good body control at 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds. His quickness in drills matched his tape, and his status as a late Round 1 player on my board is unchanged after one of the better positional drill showings in his group. -- Miller) (2-26-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47978529/2026-nfl-combine-top-draft-prospects-workouts-risers-40-every-position

2026 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, workout predictions (What's the best piece of buzz you've heard heading into the combine workouts?  Kiper: Missouri's Zion Young could be the first defensive end off the board -- ahead of Bain, Akheem Mesidor, etc. (but not quite in the same class as top outside linebackers Arvell Reese and David Bailey). The 6-foot-5, 262-pound edge rusher plays with strong hands, plenty of quickness and the ability to seal off the run. He's No. 22 on my board, but he has a lot of fans around the league and could push higher -- especially if he has a good week at the combine.) (2-26-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47977627/2026-nfl-draft-combine-preview-prospects-workouts-quarterbacks-risers

10 Most Intriguing EDGE Prospects at NFL Scouting Combine (5. Zion Young (Missouri) - Talk about belated breakouts, Young had 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles in 2025 for Missouri, surpassing his combined career totals in those categories. The 6-foot-6, 262-pound prospect turned heads at the Senior Bowl last month and will look to further solidify his draft stock this week in Indianapolis.  Kiper projects Young going No. 17 overall in the draft to the Detroit Lions.) (2-26-26):  https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/news/10-most-intriguing-edge-prospects-at-nfl-scouting-combine-reese-height-faulk-tucker

Best Things We Heard About Lions Draft Prospects at Combine Day 1 (Missouri EDGE Zion Young:  “I was just mad, at the time. I was like ‘shh.. I’m gonna have to just run through his face.’ He ain’t respect what I was feeling, I tried to stab from him, I had to switch it up. I wanted to go right back, I’m like ‘nah.’ There was a couple guys right behind him, I’m like ‘nah, I got to go again.’”) (2-25-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/best-things-we-heard-lions-draft-prospects-combine-day-one

Missouri DE Formally Meets With Lions, Is Mel Kiper's Pick at No. 17 (2-25-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/missouri-de-formally-meets-with-lions-mel-kiper-pick-mock-draft

Second-Round Draft Prospects Who Could Be Day 1 Starters in Detroit (Missouri EDGE Zion Young:  Young is another defensive end who could fit perfectly opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. He doesn't have the eye-popping statistics that some of his other EDGE counterparts have, but Young might be the best fit opposite Hutchinson of any of the mid-round prospects.  The reason he would fit so well is his run-stuffing ability. He has proven to be a menace in this area from his time in the SEC, as he posted 16.5 tackles for loss in his final season with the Tigers. He could slot in nicely opposite of Hutchinson as both a pass-rush compliment and a force when teams try to run away from Hutchinson.) (2-25-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/second-round-draft-prospects-could-be-day-one-starter-2026

2026 NFL Draft EDGE Rankings: Big Board, Tiers & Predictions (8. Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Power and sheer determination serve as equalisers for Zion Young's lack of top-tier athleticism. The Missouri EDGE recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks this past season. Young possesses an NFL-ready frame with ideal length, desirable effort, and busy hands. The former Michigan State transfer resets the line of scrimmage as a run defender.) (2-25-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/rumors/2026-nfl-draft-edge-rankings-big-board-tiers-predictions

DE Zion Young to Lions in Kiper's mock draft (2-24-26):  https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=48020015

2026 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects at the Scouting Combine (33. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri:  Young capped a terrific week of Senior Bowl practice by being named the National team’s Player of the Game. At a rocked-up 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, Young isn’t as explosive off the ball as some of the undersized pass rush specialists listed earlier, but he is a passionate and physical tone-setter at the line of scrimmage.) (2-23-26):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-top-50-prospects-scouting-combine

Top Prospects Lions Fans Need to Watch at 2026 Scouting Combine (Zion Young, Missouri:  Young is one of the best run defenders in the draft. While he doesn't have the flashiest production as a pass-rusher, he was elite in the run game and could be the perfect running mate for Aidan Hutchinson as a pocket-crushing rusher who can shut down a side against the run.) (2-23-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/top-prospects-lions-fans-to-watch-2026-scouting-combine

2026 NFL Combine preview: 10 EDGE rushers the Lions should be scouting (Available at No. 50?  Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (6-foot-5, 262):  Young is another power-based edge rusher who utilizes his long frame and core strength to his advantage, especially in defending the run. Young leans on his aggressive hands to set an edge and shed blocks, but he’s more of a methodical pass rusher than an explosive edge bender. He brings a ton of energy to the field and has a passionate demeanor, but he’s lacking down-to-down instincts and is limited once he loses his angles on the ball carrier. He will need to explain two arrests to teams; the first stemming from a brawl in the Michigan tunnel when he was at Michigan State, resulting in a misdemeanor aggravated assault plea deal, and a recent DWI arrest just over a month ago.) (2-23-26):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-analysis/156890/2026-nfl-combine-preview-10-edge-rushers-the-lions-should-be-scouting

Top 5 edge rushers for the Detroit Lions at the 2026 NFL Combine (Zion Young, Edge, Missouri - Average Draft Position: 50th.  A to Z Sports big board ranking: 50th.  Not long ago, there was another Missouri edge that everyone thought the Lions might take. That was Darius Robinson. This guy is a better prospect. He’s coming off a big 51-pressure, eight-sack season, and he had an elite run-defense grade. Right up the Lions’ alley.) (2-19-25):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/top-5-edge-rushers-for-the-detroit-lions-at-the-2026-nfl-combine/

5 Defensive Ends Lions Must Monitor at 2026 NFL Scouting Combine (Zion Young, Missouri:  If the Lions are looking for pure power, Young would be at the top of that list. He is strong and physical at the line of scrimmage, asserting his dominance at the line of scrimmage and being a big factor in the run game.  Though his pass-rush production wasn't the most spectacular, with only 6.5 in his last season, he had 16.5 tackles for loss. This indicates that he would bring a multi-faceted impact to the Lions' defensive line, and there's a lot to like with how his pocket-crushing rush style would fit Detroit's scheme.) (2-17-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/5-defensive-ends-lions-must-monitor-2026-nfl-scouting-combine

2026 NFL Draft Stock Report – (Up -  Zion Young, DE, Missouri:  After the Senior Bowl, I reached out to team sources to get a survey of players they felt helped themselves in Mobile. The top player that every source called out immediately was Zion Young. Team sources raved about him for his skill set and effectiveness. Given the demand for pass rushers, Young could continue to rise through the process.) (2/3/26):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2026stock_23.php

Scouts dish on Senior Bowl standouts: Could Nussmeier climb? (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri - CBS Sports Ranking: No. 110.  What they're saying: "Big, long 4-3 defensive end. Strong hands to set the edge.") (2-4-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2026-nfl-draft-players-climbing-draft-boards-after-senior-bowl/

Is Zion Young Lions' Defensive End of Future? (2-4-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/is-zion-young-lions-defensive-end-of-future

2026 NFL Draft prospects: Top 10 players on defense (8. Zion Young, Missouri:  If you want more powerful run defenders off the edge, these two can get that done. Young's relentless motor in an ideal frame (6-foot-5, 262 pounds) give him a high floor. He's not elite at any one thing but very, very good at most everything you'd want from an edge rusher.) (1-30-26):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/01/30/2026-nfl-draft-top-10-rankings-defense/88403594007/

2026 Senior Bowl Standouts: 5 Prospects Who Shined During the NFL Draft Showcase, Including Garrett Nussmeier (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Rounding out the list is Zion Young, the game’s defensive MVP and one of the most productive defenders all week. The Missouri edge rusher filled up the stat sheet with a fumble recovery, key tackles, and multiple pressures that forced quarterbacks to speed up their internal clocks.  Young’s impact went beyond splash plays; he consistently disrupted the pocket and set the tone physically. While some may be surprised by the attention he’s gaining, the numbers back it up. Missouri finished the 2025 season with a top-10 PFSN CFB defensive impact grade, and Young was a major reason why. His Senior Bowl performance only reinforced that his production translates against NFL-caliber competition.) (2-1-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/senior-bowl-2026-top-performers-nfl-draft/

Senior Bowl Risers (The top player that every source called out immediately was Missouri defensive end Zion Young. Team sources raved about him for his skill set and effectiveness. In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have Young going in the top-25, and it sounds like he helped improve the odds of that projection with his practice performance in Mobile. Here is a list of other players that team sources said did well and helped their draft grade.) (1-31-26):  https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowlrisers2026.php

Senior Bowl takeaways: One QB shines above rest (3. Defenders open eyes. Naturally, in a game with fewer than 500 combined yards of offense, there were several defenders who stood out. Missouri edge rusher Zion Young had a productive week of practice in his quest to be a high pick, and he earned Defensive MVP honors in Saturday's game. Young was in on a couple stops for short gains and recovered a fumble, also providing several pressures.) (1-31-26):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-senior-bowl-game-takeaways-2026-nfl-draft

Senior Bowl winners by position: Which 2026 NFL Draft picks impressed scouts this week? (Edge rusher: Zion Young, Missouri.  This was a competitive category — and a loaded group.  Michigan’s Derrick Moore had wins each day of practice, showing off his physicality and quickness. Clemson’s T.J. Parker did a terrific job leveraging his rush to overwhelm blockers, especially with his patented long-arm move. Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker brought the most juice of the group and showed why he will earn an NFL paycheck as a designated pass rusher. Illinois’ Gabe Jacas, Auburn’s Keyron Crawford and Texas Tech’s Romello Height also had multiple impressive reps.  But I’m giving the edge to Young, who made his presence known in both one-on-ones and team drills. Though he won’t stand out with his cornering speed, his violence at the point of attack and rangy presence consistently popped. Young had a silky cross-chop that created a rush lane to the quarterback during the team period, and it will stick with me.) (1-31-26):  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7010882/2026/01/31/nfl-draft-2026-senior-bowl-risers-prospects/

Senior Bowl Day 2 Standouts: First round talent starts to dominate and edge rushers continue to shine (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  The defensive line groups have been so much fun to watch in Mobile this week. Banks is the first-round pick of the group, but there are a lot of really talented day two prospects. The American team has the better defensive line group, and they showed out.  Young is a bigger bodied edge rusher from Missouri who was a likely pick on late day two. He wins by going right through you, and he did that in a big way. Unlike other edge rushers, Young dropped in a four-point stance and wrecked offensive linemen all day long. Young has done a lot for his stock this week.) (1-28-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/senior-bowl-day-2-standouts-caleb-banks-zion-young-gabe-jacas-tyren-montgomery/

2026 Senior Bowl: 14 NFL Draft prospects for Lions to watch (Zion Young, Base DE, Missouri (6-foot-5, 262) - Al: Built from a similar mold of Parker, Young is a power-based defender who bulldozes his way through offensive linemen into the backfield. He immediately stands out on tape with the way he pops pads and uses heavy hands to defend the run. He’s not the most nimble athlete, but he can reliably crush the pocket for the Lions’ pass defense and even flashes a fun four-point stance. Young began heating up as a pass rusher late in the season, relentlessly finding his way into the backfield against Oklahoma and quarterback John Mateer.) (1-30-26):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/156306/2026-senior-bowl-game-14-nfl-draft-prospects-for-lions-to-watch

Senior Bowl Day 2 Winners: Missouri’s Zion Young & Baylor’s Josh Cameron Among Standouts (Zion Young/Edge/Missouri: Young is listed as an outside linebacker on the Senior Bowl roster, but he has done most of his damage at defensive end. He’s shown incredible quickness and agility while mixing in some power. Young not only beat blockers with a great first step, but he also displayed an inside move and the ability to bend off the edge, then change direction. He uses his hands extremely well, plays with athleticism, and has done well as a pass rusher and run defender.) (1-29-26):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-senior-bowl-day-two-winners-missouris-zion-young-baylors-josh-cameron-among-standouts/

Senior Bowl American Team Standouts: 4 Big Winners From Wednesday (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Zion Young has strung together some dominant pass-rushing reps through two practices. The Atlanta, Georgia native produced a career-high 6.5 sacks this past season. An athletic repertoire of moves has been constantly on display.  Young was putting offensive linemen on their backsides during one-on-one reps. At Tuesday's practice, Young sold an outside move before swiftly winning inside against Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, who has arguably been the top-performing tackle in practice. He's been a handful.) (1-28-26):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/28/senior-bowl-american-team-wednesday-winners

2026 Senior Bowl Practice Observations: Caleb Banks, T.J. Parker Take Field in Mobile (Zion Young, EDGE, American - Day 1 Update.  Zion Young was a premium producer for Missouri this past season, and the Senior Bowl could be his launch pad toward early-round capital. At 6’5″, 262 pounds, he has the size, lean mass, length, and athleticism, and he put it all together on Tuesday.  Early on in 1-on-1s, Young beat Max Iheanachor with a perfectly executed inside swim, baiting Iheanachor into widening to the apex. Later, he beat Jude Bowry with a forceful combo, first popping the chest with power before chopping Bowry’s outside hand and ripping through.  Young is athletic, powerful, and tenacious on the attack. If he proves to be this unblockable all through the week, we could see him reach astronomical heights in future mocks.) (1-28-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/senior-bowl-practice-observations-day-1-2026/

2025 Senior Bowl Recap, Day 1: Standouts, draft risers and more (Zion Young's power is NFL-caliber.  Missouri edge rusher Zion Young was one of the names we already had highlighted to keep an eye on early at Senior Bowl, and he did not disappoint when our eyes looked his way. He measured in at over 260 pounds and 6-foot-5, verifying his measurements from Missouri (which isn’t always the case). He earned an 86.6 grade this past season as a run defender, as over 20.0% of his run defense snaps earned a positive grade. That’s impressive stuff, and it is possible because of the strength shown above.  The clip above wasn’t a run-defense snap, but it did help display Young’s power, as he continued to work through the rep and finish with a strong push-pull move to get clean and around the offensive lineman. That is a good piece of evidence for how he has been transitioning his run-stopping power into pass-rushing power as well over the last few seasons.  Young earned a 17.5% pass-rush win rate this past season, a career high. He’ll never be the twitchiest or most flexible pass -usher, but there is a way to combine his stretch and first-step explosiveness into a strong pass-rush plan, as seen above. He had top-50 hype going into the week, and that has only grown after Day 1.) (1-28-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-senior-bowl-recap-day-1-standouts-draft-risers-and-more

Senior Bowl Day 1 Risers: T.J. Parker Looks the Part, Kevin Coleman Jr. Can’t Be Stopped (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Zion Young was a premium producer for Missouri this past season, and the Senior Bowl could be his launch pad toward early-round capital. At 6’5″, 262 pounds, he has the size, lean mass, length, and athleticism, and he put it all together on Tuesday.  Early on in 1-on-1s, Young beat Max Iheanachor with a perfectly executed inside swim, baiting Iheanachor into widening to the apex. Later, he beat Jude Bowry with a forceful combo, first popping the chest with power before chopping Bowry’s outside hand and ripping through.  Young is athletic, powerful, and tenacious on the attack. If he proves to be this unblockable all through the week, we could see him reach astronomical heights in future mocks.) (1-27-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/senior-bowl-day-1-risers-2026/

Most impressive Senior Bowl measurements for college football stars (Missouri EDGE Zion Young:  Like Dennis-Sutton, fellow edge rusher Zion Young also made an impression with his measurables in Mobile.  Young checked in at 6-foot-5 2/8 and 262 pounds (matching his listed size on Missouri's roster), which will get scouts' attention.  As a senior for the Tigers, Young tallied 15 tackles for loss, a career-high 6.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries in 12 games. It was a breakout season for Young, whose previous high was 2.5 sacks. He'll need to continue building momentum in this pre-draft process, with this week being a pivotal one for his draft potential.) (1-27-26):  https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/news/most-impressive-2026-senior-bowl-measurements-for-college-football-stars

Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects (On Tuesday, Young, Hunter, Caleb Banks (Florida) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) all looked like top-40 players in a class with average talent. But the 2026 class is lacking overall, which could put those four closer to the overall top 25 given their standout play in the first practice session. Hunter was the best player I saw on the field throughout two practices (more on that later), but Parker and Young both won consistently with power and length while using speed to close on the ball in team sessions. And Banks, who is returning from a season-ending foot injury, was as impactful as expected. You're going to hear a lot about this defensive line class in the next three months. Tuesday was a great introduction. -- Miller.  Yates:  Edge rusher Zion Young (Missouri) brought ferocious energy to the one-on-ones, as he showed the power that made him a great college player. Young wins with knock-back power and length as a rusher, which he used to land an offensive tackle on his back in a one-on-one rep. I think Young will go early in Round 2.) (1-27-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47735737/senior-bowl-2026-nfl-draft-best-prospects-quarterbacks-nuggets

8 players for the Lions to watch at the Senior Bowl (Zion Young, Edge, Missouri:  Another strong edge that we know the Lions have gone out to look at this season. Young put up 56 pressures and eight sacks in 2025.) (1-26-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/8-players-for-the-lions-to-watch-at-the-senior-bowl/

TWENTYMAN: 15 players to watch at the Senior Bow (14. EDGE Zion Young, Missouri:  Young started his career at Michigan State before finishing the last two seasons at Missouri where he notched 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for the Tigers in 2025. At 6-foot-5, 262 pounds, Young has the size the Lions love along the edge of their defensive front.) (1-26-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-15-players-to-watch-senior-bowl-bailey-banks-boettcher

Senior Bowl 2026 EDGE/LB Primer (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Zion Young blends size with power as a productive pass rusher. Young is physical and athletic with NFL-ready size. His sack production at Missouri left a little something to be desired.) (1-26-26):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/26/senior-bowl-2026-edge-lb-primer-roster

Eli Drinkwitz Reveals Status of Zion Young for the Gator Bowl (12-26-25):  https://www.si.com/college/missouri/football/eli-drinkwitz-reveals-status-of-zion-young-for-the-gator-bowl


Mizzou football’s Zion Young arrested by Missouri Highway Patrol for alleged DWI (12-13-25):  https://abc17news.com/news/2025/12/13/mizzou-footballs-zion-young-arrested-by-missouri-highway-patrol-for-alleged-dwi/

PFF 2025 All-SEC Team: Diego Pavia, Mansoor Delane and more (EDGE: Zion Young, Missouri) (12-10-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/pff-2025-all-sec-team-diego-pavia-mansoor-delane-and-more


Six Missouri football players earn All-SEC honorsColumbia — Six University of Missouri Football players earned All-Southeastern Conference honors on Tuesday.  First-Team honorees include running back Ahmad Hardy, offensive lineman Keagen Trost, defensive end Zion Young and linebacker Josiah Trotter. Offensive lineman Cayden Green and defensive end Damon Wilson II each earned second-team nods. The four first-team nods are the second most for the Tigers since joining the SEC in 2012.Young thrived in his second season in Columbia, with 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.) (12-9-25):  https://krcgtv.com/sports/college/six-missouri-football-players-earn-all-sec-honors

PFF 2026 NFL Draft Rankings: Edge defenders (15. Zion Young, Missouri Tigers - Big board rank: 76.  Young is a long and strong defensive end prospect whose best spot in the league may be more inside as a 3-4 defensive end. He has good arm length with a strong upper body to stack and shed as well as finish tackles. He has a decent first step but is slow to change direction and has limited top speed in pursuit. His pass-rush win percentage and sack totals have been low throughout his career. He could benefit from adding some weight and finding a home between the tackles as a primary run defender.) (12-1-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-edge-defenders

2026 NFL Draft: College Game Recaps – Week 13 (Missouri has two early-round edge rushers in Zion Young and Damon Wilson. They have been excellent this season with steady pressure on the quarterback. To have a shot at knocking off the Sooners, Missouri needed its tandem to step up with some big plays. While Young and Wilson played well, they weren’t able to do enough with the Tigers’ offense struggling mightily.  Late in the first quarter, Wilson had two nice plays in a row. The first one saw Wilson use a rip move to get leverage on the right tackle and collapse the pocket for a near sack. The next down, Wilson ran a stunt and bounced off the right guard. As Mateer scrambled to his right, Wilson showed his speed and hustle to chase down Mateer for a sack. In the early going of the first half, both Wilson and Young were getting off blocks and pressuring Mateer.  In the third quarter, Young had a power rush, pushing through the right tackle and getting a hit on Mateer just after the ball came out. Later on the drive, Young shed the block of the right tackle and then chased down Mateer for a sack. Wilson pushed through the left tackle to get to Mateer just after Young wrapped up the legs of the Sooners quarterback. That sack caused Oklahoma to settle for a field goal.  This tape should help both Young and Wilson. Young showed speed and athleticism at the point of attack. Both Young and Wilson are fast to get upfield, agile to redirect, and have functional strength to shed blocks. This tape should help Young and Wilson be first- or second-round picks next April.) (11-22-25):  https://walterfootball.com/2026-nfl-draft-college-game-recaps-week-13.php

College Football Week 9 Preview: Storylines, matchups and predictions for the biggest games (That could be pivotal in this game, as Missouri holds the third-best pressure rate in college football at 43%. Edge rushers Zion Young and Damon Wilson II are second and third in the SEC in pressures this year, respectively, trailing only Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell.) (10-23-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-9-preview-storylines-matchups-and-predictions-for-the-biggest-games-2

‘Zion Being Zion’: Missouri DE Zion Young is playing as loud as he talks this season (10-23-25):  https://247sports.com/college/missouri/article/zion-being-zion-missouri-de-zion-young-is-playing-as-loud-as-he-talks-this-season-258240235/


8 college players the Detroit Lions scouted during Week 8 of the NCAA season, including a hidden gem (Zion Young, Edge, Missouri:  This was not the Lions’ first time seeing Young and Missouri this year. They were out there earlier in the season, too. What’s not to love with this guy? He has 28 pressures and five sacks.  His name is being called all the time at Mizzou. The Lions have been watching Mizzou ball a lot lately, it would seem, but they’ve only come away with Ennis Rakestraw so far.) (10-20-25):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/8-college-players-the-detroit-lions-scouted-ohio-state-usc-jayden-maiava-notre-dame-wisconsin-utah-spencer-fano-byu-missouri-auburn-connor-lew/

Mizzou EDGE Zion Young Earns Weekly SEC Honor (Missouri Tigers defensive end Zion Young was named the Southeastern Conference defensive lineman of the week following his performance on the road against the Auburn Tigers, per the conference.  Young was arguably the best player on the field for Missouri during the ugly and hard-fought win. He finished the game with five tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, including a sack on Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold in the first overtime period that halted a chance to score a touchdown.  The former Michigan State transfer popped out the most during the two overtime drives Missouri played on defense. He took it upon himself to make sure Missouri escaped with a win, while bringing a ton of energy to the table.  "They ran, what? Seven plays (in overtime)," head coach Eli Drinkwitz asked. "He had to have had one sack, one TFL. It was unbelievable."  Young's name earned some extra publicity after his energy was vocalized through an official's microphone during the overtime coin flip. He turned that energy into an incredible performance on the field.  For Young, this was nothing new. He was just being himself.  "I was just doing my thing. You know, that's me," Young said. "Obviously, like I said, ya'll are going to see a lot more of that as the games go on."  Despite the game being ugly, Missouri's defensive front was a key part of the eventual win. As a whole, MU recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss, along with three extra quarterback hurries.) (10-20-25):  https://www.si.com/college/missouri/football/mizzou-edge-zion-young-earns-weekly-sec-honor


6 CFB Players Who Can Raise NFL Draft Stock: 10/18 (Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri:  Missouri EDGE Zion Young was another climber in our Draft Network 100 update. The No. 46-ranked prospect (10th-best EDGE) has three sacks this year, including takedowns in recent standout showings against South Carolina and Alabama.  Young displays terrific power and strength as a pass rusher. The Tigers are slight favorites in an exciting matchup with Auburn this weekend. Young's pre-draft stock could continue trending in the appropriate direction with another stellar performance.) (10-17-25):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/10/17/cfb-players-who-can-raise-nfl-draft-stock-oct-18

2026 NFL Draft: College Game Recaps – Week 7 (There was an excellent draft matchup in this game with Alabama left tackle Kayden Proctor taking on the Missouri edge rush tandem of Zion Young and Damon Wilson. Young and Wilson have been superb this year and have combined to be extremely effective at pressuring the quarterback. The massive Proctor looks like a potential top-20 pick next April, so he would be a great test for the Tigers tandem. Early in the first quarter, Young made a stupid decision when a teammate of his made a tackle for a loss on a screen pass, and Young decided to get in the face of Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard to taunt him. That penalty took away a third-and-15 and gave the Crimson Tide a first down. Later in the drive, Young jumped offside, which gifted another first down. In the second quarter, Young pushed through the right tackle and right guard to get pressure on Ty Simpson while slapping down the pass.  In the second quarter, Wilson made a huge play on a third down, fighting through the tight end and the right tackle to get a sack of Ty Simpson. It was a phenomenal rush showing power to fight off blocks, speed to close, and agility to get turned to the quarterback.  At the very start of the third quarter, a teammate was sacking Simpson when Young joined in and punched the ball out from behind. Wilson was being blocked by Proctor, but Wilson saw the loose ball and dove on it for a huge turnover for Missouri. Shortly later, Proctor didn’t get into the chest of his rusher and allowed the defender to cut to the inside and hit Simpson. Later in the second quarter, Wilson pushed into the chest of Proctor before looping back to the inside to get a hit on Simpson. Midway through the fourth quarter, Wilson blew by the right tackle with a speed rush and ripped down Simpson for Wilson’s second sack of the game.  This tape should help both Young and Wilson. Pro evaluators won’t like the penalties on Young and his lack of discipline, but Young showed speed and athleticism at the point of attack. Both Young and Wilson are fast to get upfield, agile to redirect, and have functional strength to shed blocks. This tape should help Young and Wilson be first- or second-round picks next April.  Overall, this was not an impressive tape from Proctor. While he wasn’t abused or dominated, he allowed some hits on the quarterback, and he showed some technique flaws by not latching onto rushers and letting them break free to the inside on numerous occasions. Proctor looked better in the ground game. He pushed open some lanes in the ground game and got a push on the goal line to open a scoring lane that was called back. Proctor has starting ability, but this tape won’t be that helpful for his draft grade.) (10-11-25): https://walterfootball.com/2026-nfl-draft-college-game-recaps-week-7.php

College Football Week 7 Preview: Storylines, matchups and predictions for the biggest games (The Tigers counter with star edge rushers Damon Wilson II and Zion Young. Those two have respectively earned 89.5 and 87.1 pass-rush grades this season. They also rank first and second in the SEC in total pressures generated through Week 6.) (10-9-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-7-preview-storylines-matchups-and-predictions-for-the-biggest-games-2


2026 NFL Draft – Stock Report  (Up - Zion Young, DE, Missouri:  Young has 13 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted thus far, but has been among the nation’s leaders in pressures. In 2024, Young had 41 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Young has good size, length, and upside to produce more as he gets developed. If Young plays well against Alabama’s Kayden Proctor on Saturday, his stock could really take off.) (10-7-25):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2026stock_06.php

Elite QBs Among Three Prospects Whose 2026 NFL Draft Stock Declined in Week 5 (Risers - Zion Young, edge, Missouri:  Young has been one of the nation’s best pass rushers this season, and he continued his dominance Saturday against UMass, tying for the FBS lead with seven total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6' 5", 262-pounder is tied for ninth nationally with 20 pressures, along with two sacks and five tackles for loss. Lanky and athletic with strong hands and a quick first step, Young registered three quarterback hits against UMass, the latest in a string of quality performances that have him trending toward being a second-round pick.) (9-30-25):  https://www.si.com/nfl/elite-qbs-among-three-prospects-whose-2026-nfl-draft-stock-declined-week-5

Four Tigers named SEC Players of the Week (On the opposite side, Zion Young took home the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, after another great showing.  The fan-favorite senior came over from Michigan State ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, and put up great numbers. He's continued that so far this year, already recording a pair of sacks, just a half back of his career high, as well as a forced fumble and ten total tackles.  Young notched a sack and two tackles for loss on star South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, at home last Saturday night. He's a game wrrecker who constantly stops what could be huge plays for the opposing sideline, and Drinkwitz raves about him non-stop.) (9-24-25):  https://trumanstales.com/four-tigers-named-sec-players-of-the-week-01k5t9ry3tz2

2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Edge Rusher Overview (Zion Young, Missouri - Strengths:  Adequate linear first step for his size.  Solid ability to drop the hips and anchor.  Longer strides can cover decent ground in pursuit.  Reliable tackler; low missed tackle percentage.  Weaknesses:  Slow when asked to change direction.  Below-average top speed in pursuit.  Likely lacks the burst and bend to threaten outside shoulders as 4-3 DE.  Low career pass-rush win percentage; low PFF pass-rush grade on TPR.  Scouting Summary:  Young is a long and strong defensive end prospect whose best spot in the league may be more inside as a 3-4 defensive end. He has good arm length with a strong upper body to stack and shed as well as finish tackles. He has a decent first step but is slow when asked to change direction and has a limited top speed in pursuit. His pass-rush win percentage and sack totals have been low throughout his career. He could benefit from adding some weight and finding a home between the tackles as a primary run defender.) (9-16-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-edge-rusher-overview

Insider notes on South Carolina and Missouri: Draft grades for top prospects ft. LaNorris Sellers, Zion Young, and more (If there’s one Mizzou prospect who could make a leap up draft boards, it’s edge rusher Zion Young. An athletic prospect who makes plays in every direction of the field, Young is a disruptive force who bends the edge, makes plays in backside pursuit and chases the action in space. He’s quick and uses his hands well, displaying a variety of pass-rushing moves. Young has a long, thin build and is easily out-positioned by blockers at times. I like his upside, and he’s someone to watch.) (8-25-25):  https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-insider-notes-south-carolina-missouri-draft-grades-top-prospects-ft-lanorris-sellers-zion-young

Insider's 2026 NFL draft projections for top 8 DT prospects ft. Keldric Faulk's ceiling, Zane Durant's grade, and more (5. Zion Young/Missouri:  Missouri is a program on the rise and had two linemen, one on offense and the other on defense, selected in the first round of the past two drafts. And though scouts don’t grade Young to that level just yet, it’s not out of the question he becomes the third to land in the initial frame.  Young is a long defender estimated to measure 6-foot-6 and just under 270 pounds, and he’s a disruptive end who does a really good job stuffing the run. Young should only improve as he physically matures, adds bulk to his frame and gets more snaps.) (7-28-25):  https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-insider-s-2026-nfl-draft-projections-top-8-edge-de-prospects-ft-t-j-parker-david-bailey

This player set the tone as Mizzou defense brought energy to Day 1 of fall camp (7-28-25):  https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article311491541.html

How Zion Young's Childhood Made Him One of Mizzou's Vocal Leaders (7-19-25):  https://www.si.com/college/missouri/football/how-zion-young-s-childhood-made-him-one-of-mizzou-s-vocal-leaders

Looking Back at Zion Young's Incredible Oklahoma Touchdown: The Extra Point (7-17-25):  https://www.si.com/college/missouri/football/looking-back-at-zion-young-s-incredible-oklahoma-touchdown-the-extra-point
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