COLUMBIA, MO — Zion Young is officially the most hunted man in the SEC. The Missouri defensive end has scheduled 10 pre-draft visits with NFL franchises, including the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets. Fresh off a dominant 2025 campaign where he tallied 8 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss, Young is skyrocketing up draft boards as teams scramble to secure an elite edge presence before the late-April scramble in Pittsburgh.
The Physics of a First-Rounder
NFL scouts aren’t just looking at the stat sheet; they are obsessed with the frame. At 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, Young looks like he was built in a lab to terrorize backfields. He finished the 2025 season with a massive 85.1 run-defense grade from PFF, proving he isn’t just a third-down specialist. He sets the edge with heavy hands and a mean streak that makes offensive tackles rethink their career choices.
The buzz in Columbia is electric. During the final home game of the season, the stadium shook as Young leveled the quarterback to force a fumble that sealed a win over Mississippi State. That play alone has been on a loop in NFL meeting rooms for months. He isn’t just fast; he’s violent at the point of attack. While some critics point to his average pursuit range, his 53 total pressures last season suggest his motor never actually shuts off.
- Key 2025 Stats: 42 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 8.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
- Top Suitors: Seahawks (Pick 32), Bears (Pick 25), Jets (Pick 16/33).
- Pro Comparison: A more rugged Trey Hendrickson with elite block-shedding ability.
“I’m not here to just participate. I’m here to take over. Every meeting I have with these teams, I tell them the same thing: You’re getting a guy who lived in the film room and fought for every inch at Mizzou. The past is the past, and my focus is 100% on being the best pro in this class.”
— Zion Young, Missouri Edge Rusher
Red Flags and Recovery
The road to Pittsburgh hasn’t been perfectly smooth. NFL GMs are grilled Young about a December 2025 DWI arrest that briefly clouded his draft stock. However, his transparency during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis seems to have calmed the storm. Teams like the Buccaneers and Titans aren’t just looking at the police report; they are looking at a young man who has stayed clean and focused throughout the entire spring cycle. His “alpha” personality in the locker room is something coaches crave, especially for defensive units needing a cultural spark.
Draft Projection: The Late-First Surge
Where does he land? The New England Patriots are reportedly sniffing around at pick 31, but don’t count out the Seahawks at pick 32. Seattle needs a successor for Boye Mafe, and Young fits the physical profile that John Schneider loves. If he slips past the first round, he won’t last ten minutes on Friday night. Most analysts expect him to be a Day 1 starter who contributes immediately on special teams while rotating into pass-rush packages. He has the raw power to bull-rush NFL veterans today.
