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Kansas University defensive end Kevin Young runs through warmup drills with the defense during practice in this file photo from April 12.
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Last week, when Kansas University football coach Turner Gill released his post-spring depth chart, red-shirt freshman Kevin Young was penciled in as a starter at defensive end.
After a tumultuous recruiting process that had Young debating between Big 12 North powers, the 6-foot-2, 256-pound defensive end appears to be poised for a breakout season.
Young, rated a four-star defensive end by Scout.com, came to Kansas in the spring of 2009 after graduating from Olathe North in December, 2008. He red-shirted his first year and was able to bulk up, get to know the players and coaches and adjust to life in Lawrence.
Young also has had to transition to a new coach.
“It’s a fresh start for everybody,” Young said. “And because I came in here last year, it’s a fresh start with me, too, so I’m definitely glad it worked out like this.”
Throughout high school, Young said he wanted to play defense for the Jayhawks. But a visit to Lincoln, Neb., for a football camp nearly changed his mind, and Young found himself leaning toward spending his college days playing for coach Bo Pelini at Nebraska.
After laboring over the decision for a few weeks, Young informed Pelini of his intention to commit back to Kansas.
A year later, he hopes to make an immediate impact on the KU defensive line.
For those who line up next to him, Young’s improvement this spring has been hard to miss. With returning starter and honorable mention All-Big 12 performer Jake Laptad sidelined for most of spring drills because of injury, Young had an opportunity to emerge.
“Kevin Young has turned it up a lot,” senior defensive tackle Jamal Greene said. “I’m just looking for (the entire defensive line) to have a good year.”
Senior cornerback Chris Harris also said he liked what he saw from Young this spring, particularly with the mental side of the game.
“He’s been learning the defense very well and catching on,” Harris said. “They’ve been throwing a lot of stuff at us real fast, so he’s been catching on and doing good. He’s definitely improved a lot.”
So will Young be extra excited to line up against Nebraska in Lincoln this fall for the Jayhawks?
“That’s definitely the plan,” Young said. “But I’m excited to play any Big 12 team.”
• A previous version of this story was updated.
Spring game highlights April 28, 2012
Charlie Weis Jr. helps lead the KU running backs in drills April 19, 2012
D.J. Beshears makes tough catch on deep pass from Dayne Crist April 19, 2012
Highlights from Charlie Weis press conference April 10, 2012
KU football's first spring practice under Charlie Weis March 28, 2012
Comments
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says…
exciting story. looking forward to seeing him out there.
doolindalton (anonymous) says…
Kevin Young is listed at 6-4. 256 not 6-3 226.
jayhawkinATL (anonymous) replies…
About to say what a nice-sized safety he would make.
tical523 (anonymous) says…
I remember watching his recruitment very close and was so happy when he committed to the Jayhawks, I was so nervous thinking he was going to be part of that Nebraska Blackshirt defense; Pelini was very high on him. During the spring game he looked awesome; if Young and Laptad are very good to excellent D-Ends we will be much much better against the pass this year. Hopefully Jamal Greene can be a load in the middle and our linebackers can just run free all day!! Linebackers are deadly when the O-Line has to worry solely about blocking the D-Line.
justinryman (Justin) says…
If Pelini was recruiting him then I know the kid can play some D. Pelini has worked with Dorsey of LSU and Suh at NU and a few others. I'm sure glad he stayed true to his home state and will flurish under Torbush and Gill.
kugrad93 (anonymous) says…
tical53, don't get your hopes up about Jamal Greene. I suspect he won't be around.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/23556791/det...
tical523 (anonymous) replies…
Wow. Probably a good thing to get him out of here early, I heard from some friends he was involved in some shady stuff but I did not think he was this big of an idiot. Coach Gill will definitely boot him just like he did Roberts earlier. What an absolute moron and waste, but I bet some hard working interior lineman will step up in his place.
tical523 (anonymous) replies…
sorry, i meant Brooks, not Roberts. . . .
mvjayhawk (anonymous) says…
wow, that's brand new on Greene....armed robbery, not good at all. where's the story on the LJW?
and Greene was someone HCTG was raving about. another bad light KU athletics story...good grief.
Mr. Young is a nice development for sure. He seems like a strong, tough football player. i just hope we can have some quality DTs to cave in the middle.
danharris1 (anonymous) says…
Green_ What a complete idiot! Another black eye for for our program!