Zion Young

Our College Grade

How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.

College Production

Michigan State · Big Ten

The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.

Scouting Report

Missouri · 2026 draft class

Zion Young looks like he was built in a lab to play defensive end in the NFL, possessing a good frame at 6'5", 262 pounds with long arms and tools that NFL teams will be willing to develop. A 3-star recruit in the 2022 class, Young began his college career at Michigan State, spending two seasons in East Lansing. He played in eight games as a true freshman, collecting 21 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack before posting 26 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in 12 games in year two. The former Spartan transferred to Missouri as a junior in 2024 and started every game for the Tigers, collecting 42 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. Young plays with excellent pad level for a tall edge defender, maintaining good forward lean and rarely getting knocked around as a result. He holds gaps in the run game with length and a stout anchor, keeping blockers out of his frame and controlling space. He has good eyes and IQ in the run game-even without quick-twitch reactions, he plays disciplined, assignment-sound football, takes on pullers in unblocked situations, IDs concepts, and competes to get involved. His tape suggests he can be a rotational edge rusher with starter potential if he can boost his get-off.

Honors

#8 EDGE per ESPN and B/R (7.5 grade); 6'6" 265 lb frame; Day 2-3 projection