When Young first enrolled at the University of Texas, he was not only the "new kid on the block" but also the one who immediately caught the attention of the coaching staff. As a true freshman, he forced his way into the lineup, sharing playing time with All-American Cedric Benson. Young was about to snatch the starting job the following year, but a groin injury hampered him all year and Benson went on to record-breaking performances in 2003.

Young was granted a medical hardship after a gruesome accident on the playing field early in the 2004 season, undergoing surgery to have 11 screws placed in his fractured ankle. Young let his academics slip while he was injured and he was dismissed from the school in January 2005. He improved his grades and returned to the team in 2005, starting 15 of his final 22 games.

After struggling with academics, Young has made a complete turnaround. He graduated in December 2006 and was a member of Texas' Athletics Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2005). He is active in the school's community service program, serves as a mentor at local elementary and middle schools and has helped clean parks, assist with food drives and helped people recover from the floods that struck the city of Austin.

A three-year starter at tailback for Jersey Village High School, Young also returned kicks and saw limited action at cornerback. He was a third-team Class 5A all-state and first-team All-Greater Houston selection, adding all-district accolades as a senior. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player after rushing for 1,417 yards and 17 scores during his final season.

Young also earned first-team All-Greater Houston and second-team all-district honors as a junior. He rushed for 960 yards (on 203 carries) and 12 touchdowns in only seven games, missing three games due to an ankle injury. Young was chosen first-team All-Greater Houston and all-district as a sophomore, as he ran for 2,204 yards (on 308 carries) and 24 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. His 2,204 yards ranked second in the Houston area among prep players in 1999. He rushed for 270 yards and scored three times in his first varsity game. He also played basketball and ran track for two years.

Young was a co-recipient of the team's Outstanding Newcomer Award in 2002 at Texas. Despite not starting any games, he ranked second on the team with 408 yards and five touchdowns on 85 carries (4.8 avg.). He gained 87 yards with a score on five punt returns (17.4 avg.) and 285 yards on 12 kickoff returns (23.8 avg.), totaling 780 all-purpose yards and 36 points scored for the season.

A nagging groin injury limited his performance in 2003. He was limited to 35 carries for 151 yards (4.3 avg.) and three touchdowns while also catching six passes for 29 yards (4.8 avg.). He had a 39-yard punt return and 18 kickoff returns for 439 yards (24.4 avg.), including one score. Young gained 102 yards with two touchdowns on 12 runs in 2004, but he suffered a right ankle fracture in the second game. He underwent surgery and was lost for the rest of the year, earning a medical hardship.

After failing during the winter semester, Young was given a scholastic dismissal in early 2005. He attended a communnity college and not only improved his grades, but went on to earn Academic Honor Roll recognition. His turnaround off the field coincided with his development on the field. Young started five of 11 games, as he again hurt his ankle against Ohio State and re-injured it five games later. He still managed to gain 461 yards on 96 carries (4.8 avg.), including eight touchdowns.

Young's injury problems at midseason prevented him from establishing himself among the nation's elite tailbacks in 2006. He started 10 of 11 games, despite playing with a rib injury. He ranked second on the team with 125 carries for 580 yards (4.6 avg.) and also caught a career-high 21 passes for 129 yards (6.1 avg.) and one score. He added 233 yards on 11 kickoff returns (21.2 avg.), recording 942 all-purpose yards during the regular season.

In 48 games at Texas, Young started 15 times. He had 353 rushing attempts for 1,702 yards (4.8 avg.) and 24 touchdowns. He caught 35 passes for 211 yards (6.0 avg.) and a score. He returned 43 kickoffs for 994 yards (23.1 avg.) and a touchdown, adding 139 yards and two scores on eight punt returns (17.4 avg.). He scored 168 points and totaled 3,046 all-purpose yards, an average of 63.5 yards per game.

Positives: Has above-average balance with decent change-of-direction agility … Plays with good aggression as evidenced by his rash of injuries, and will play through pain … Developed a "never quit" attitude and runs hard going downhill, giving solid effort to gain positive yardage after initial contact … More apt to hit the hole with power than quickness … When he stays low in his pads and sticks his feet into the ground, Young can generate better acceleration to the line, but he must correct that hitch step coming out of his stance … Has functional lateral agility to slide in-line … Shows some body weave through the holes to make a lethargic defender miss, but it is his balance and leg drive that helps him move through trash and out of the holes … Demonstrated better patience and improved his feel for anticipating openings in 2006, but still needs to learn how to use his blocks better … Does a nice job of leaning forward and keeping his feet constantly churning to gain valid yardage … More of a downhill runner because of his ability to attack it hard up the crease, compensating some for the hitch in his initial step … Won't make the quicker defenders miss in the open field, but has the balance and leg drive to break tackles and slip past the in-line trash … His wiggle is minimal, but he is effective when he uses his lower-body strength to power through or slip off blocks … Has enough strength in his legs to punish the smaller defenders and with his good balance after contact, he is a load to bring down in man coverage … Has the adequate lateral range to slide in-line, but only when he runs behind his pads and keeps his body lean through the line of scrimmage.

Negatives: Shows thick thighs and calves, but is a bit bow-legged, preventing him from demonstrating effective flexibility and plant-and-drive agility … Little rigid in his running stride, lacking the ability to stop-and-go in an instant … Needs only normal reps to retain, but must show better field awareness and vision, as he is not always consistent in picking up the blitzes … Needs to correct a hitch in his initial step, as it slows him down considerably, negating whatever burst he can generate … While he is more of a power runner, especially for the first five yards of his run, he is more of a one-cut type who will struggle to get past the second level … Must have room to build to top speed and doesn't have the second gear to go long distances … Has decent lateral agility, but his stiff hips cause him to look a bit sluggish when trying to bounce outside … Must do a better job of distributing the ball away from the defender … Most of his fumbles are caused when he gets into the second level and fails to shield the ball … Has the upper-body strength to protect the ball in traffic, yet will lose the ball when it is stripped from behind on him … Can keep his balance and turn up field after the catch, but his lack of burst makes him a safety valve, at best … Will use his body to occupy a defender, but needs to show better hand punch and placement to sustain … Looks a bit awkward moving his feet in attempts to mirror (stiff hips) and plays too high in his stance to generate a strong base … Will head-duck at times, letting the edge rushers slip off his blocks. He has adequate cutting ability, but needs angle technique work … Durability is a question and he has had a series of right ankle problems that might need further medical evaluation.

Compares To: Patrick Pass, New England -- Young has been a complimentary back in Texas' rotation ever since he arrived on campus, so do not expect him to suddenly become a feature back at the next level … He is an adequate north-south runner who is better served carrying between tackles than when bouncing outside … Like Pass, he will fill a roster spot and bring additional value on the return units, but outside of occupying a roster spot, his contributions will be limited to situational roles.

2003: Bothered throughout the season by a nagging groin strain that he suffered in August camp. Re-aggravated the injury vs. Rice (Sept. 20), sitting out the next two games vs. Tulane and Kansas State.

2004: Granted a medical redshirt after Young fielded a kick in the first road game of 2004 vs. Arkansas (Sept. 11). The force of the tackle snapped the bone just above his right ankle. Doctors used a plate and 11 screws to fix the jagged break. "It looked like pieces of a puzzle," Young recalls. His team role was reduced to leading sideline cheers from a motorized scooter.

2005: Suffered a right ankle sprain vs. Ohio State (Sept. 10), missing the next game vs. Rice … Injured his right ankle again vs. Oklahoma State (Oct. 29), sitting out the Baylor game.

2006: Left the Ohio State game briefly in the first half with a left ankle sprain … Young injured his ribs, missing the second half of the Iowa State game (Sept. 23) and sat out the following game vs. Sam Houston State.

Campus: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 335-pound bench press … 480-pound squat … 300-pound power clean … 32½-inch vertical jump … 31¾-inch arm length … 9-inch hands.

Attended Jersey Village (Houston, Texas) High School, playing football for head coach David Snokhous … A three-year starter at tailback, Young also returned kicks and saw limited action at cornerback … Third-team Class 5A all-state and first-team All-Greater Houston selection, adding all-district accolades as a senior … Named the team's Most Valuable Player after rushing for 1,417 yards and 17 scores during his final campaign … Earned first-team All-Greater Houston and second-team all-district honors as a junior … Rushed for 960 yards (on 203 carries) and 12 touchdowns in only seven games, missing three contests games due to an ankle injury … Chosen first-team All-Greater Houston and all-district as a sophomore, as he ran for 2,204 yards (on 308 carries) and 24 touchdowns in his first season as a starter … His 2,204 yards ranked second in the Houston area among prep players in 1999 … Rushed for 270 yards and scored three times in his first varsity game … Also played basketball and ran track for two years … Two-time Honor Roll student.

Graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts … Member of Texas' Athletics Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2005) … Active in the UT community service program … Serves as a mentor at local elementary and middle schools … Helped clean parks, assists with food drives and helped people recover from the floods that struck the city in spring 2001 … Born Oct. 1, 1983 in Houston, Texas.