Sam Young, OT

Great things were expected from the Parade All-American from Florida when he came to South Bend, but being the first true freshman ever to start on Notre Dame's offensive line opening weekend was truly a fine accomplishment (first-year players were eligible to play immediately starting in 1972).

All Young has done since is start every game for the Irish. He lined up at right tackle for the first 16 games, then moved to left tackle for 10 contests in 2007 before moving back to the right side for the last two seasons. In 2009, Young helped the Irish become one of the most prolific offenses in the country, rolling up more than 450 yards per game.

Though not considered one of the more athletic tackles in the 2010 draft, Young's size, strength and pedigree are likely to land him a spot in the middle rounds and give him the potential to have a long NFL career.

Pass blocking: Height, arm length and strong punch make it easy for him to engulf smaller ends. Keeps his feet moving after kick slide, taking a sharp angle back to protect the pocket. Stays with his man after initial contact to prevent secondary rush. Fair anchor, keeping his weight forward and hands working to maintain distance with defender. Cut blocks more quickly and efficiently than you would expect at his height, both on quick throws and when trying to protect the quarterback. A bit slow in his lateral movement, and may struggle to mirror against NFL speed on the edge. Must improve his awareness of late blitzers instead of focusing on inside double when it is unnecessary.

Run blocking: Good drive blocker despite his height, getting low and pushing back the line. Strong enough to turn his man inside or outside. Leans forward too far on the move, which causes him to lose his balance and struggle to do more than get a hand on his target - but most times that's all he needs to do at his size against linebackers and safeties.

Pulling/trapping: Lacks the footwork to pull or trap effectively. Inconsistent at sustaining on the second level, but usually gets a hand on a linebacker and safety when on the move. Has a tough time adjusting to fast-closing defenders.

Initial Quickness: Average quickness into kick slide and set in pass protection for a big right tackle. Drives off the ball well but is a bit slow and can be out-quicked by ends and tackles off the snap.

Downfield: Height and average footwork make him lumber in space, but gives good effort to hit multiple targets. Will join a play 10-15 yards downfield to push the pile forward. Should dominate smaller players in space, but his lack of body control allows them to avoid or get off blocks too consistently.

Intangibles: Experienced, durable, intelligent lineman. Plays with great effort and a nasty attitude, and is a vocal leader on and off the field.

NFL Comparison: Jeremy Trueblood, Buccaneers

Notre Dame's top returning offensive lineman enters his final season with the possibility of setting the school record for most starts in a career … has started all 38 games of his career and is the only Notre Dame offensive lineman to have started every game since his freshman year … became the first Irish offensive lineman to make his debut as a freshman in the season opener since freshmen regained eligibility in 1972 … veteran leader of the offense has more starts under his belt than any other player on the roster … started 28 games at right tackle and 10 games at left tackle in his career … started the first 15 games at Notre Dame at right tackle and started all 13 games in 2008 on the right side as well … one of four returning starters on the offensive line in 2009 … selected to Phil Steele's preseason All-America second team in 2009 … ranked by Steele as the fourth-best offensive tackle in the country … Lindy's tabbed him the seventh-best offensive tackle in 2009 preseason … key reason why Steele ranked Notre Dame's offensive line as the fifth-best in the country.

Young was a staple on Notre Dame's offensive line since he stepped foot on campus. His 50 career starts are the most in school history and he is the only Notre Dame offensive lineman to start every game since his freshman year. The Coral Springs, Fla. native allowed just two sacks all season and helped the Irish finish the season ranked ninth in the country in total offense, averaging 451.75 yards per game.

Started all 13 games for the Irish on the offensive line (has started 38 straight games in his career) … blocked for a rushing attack that amassed 122 yards on the ground and did not allow a sack in season opening victory over San Diego State … protected QB Jimmy Clausen by not allowing a sack in consecutive weeks vs. Michigan … spearheaded the Irish run game which gained 201 yards vs. Purdue … opened up holes all day long as the Irish piled up 459 total yards in the contest against Washington … helped the Irish offense total 478 yards in Hawai'I Bowl game victory against Hawai'i.

Started all 12 games for the Irish to push his consecutive games started streak to 25 … opened the season at right tackle and moved to left tackle after the third game and started there the final 10 contests … helped block for James Aldridge as he gained over 100 rushing yards vs. Michigan State and Navy … opened up holes for Robert Hughes as he rushed for over 100 yards in the final two contests vs. Duke and at Stanford … logged 310:08 of playing time and made 36 special teams appearances.

Started all 13 games at right tackle for Notre Dame … was the first Irish player to start the season opener on the offensive line since freshmen regained their eligibility in 1972 … named a first-team freshman All-American by The Sporting News and Rivals.com … helped open holes all season for Darius Walker as he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards and provided protection for Brady Quinn as he surpassed 3,000 passing yards again … logged 292:17 of playing time.

Graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. … first-team offensive lineman on USA Today prep All-America squad … rated top lineman and one of 16 candidates for Parade All-America High School Player of the Year award … one of 18 linemen on Parade prep all-star team … rated 10th on list of top 100 prep players nationally by USA Today and Chicago Sun-Times … rated ninth on list of top 150 players nationally by CollegeFootballNews.com … rated 23rd on list of top 100 players in the nation by Dallas Morning News … Gatorade Player of the Year for 2005 in Florida … first-team All-America offensive lineman by CSTV … rated fourth overall as one of six offensive linemen on Atlanta Journal-Constitution National Top 25 team … rated fourth player overall (of 20) on 2005 Best of the South team by Tampa Tribune … selected for U.S. Army All-American Bowl prep all-star game … selected for CaliFlorida Bowl all-star game … a first-team offensive lineman on Florida Class 5A all-state team as junior in 2004 and again as senior in 2005.

Named South Florida Sun-Sentinel Class 6A-5A-4A player of the year … helped St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., gain 4,606 total offense yards as well as 3,040 regular-season rushing yards during '05 season, as squad finished 10th on USA Today Super 25 list of top prep teams nationally … didn't permit a sack either of his junior or senior seasons while helping team to Florida Class 5A state semifinal each of those years … rated 14th on preseason list of top players in the country (and second among offensive linemen) by The Sporting News … one of 50 players and eight offensive linemen on preseason prep All-America team by Street & Smith's … one of 19 offensive linemen on '05 national preseason top 100 by CBS SportsLine.com … high school teammate of fellow '06 Irish freshman Dan Wenger … high school coach was George Smith … enrolled in First Year of Studies.

Born June 24, 1987.