Zion Young 2026 NFL Draft Profile

Zion Young brings power and aggression with every defensive snap. His exceptional bull rush, paired with an endless motor, allows him to collapse the pocket with ease. This article will highlight Missouri Tigers Defensive End Zion Young and his 2026 NFL Draft Profile.

2026 NFL Draft Profile Of Missouri EDGE Zion Young

Measurables

• Height: 6’ 5”
• Weight: 255 lbs
• Arm Length: 33”
• Wingspan: 80 1/2”
• Hand Size: 9 5/8”

Player Background

As a three-star recruit out of Westlake High School, Zion Young was the 145th-ranked defensive lineman in the country but wasn’t considered a top-100 player within the state of Georgia. He committed to the Michigan State Spartans during the 2022 recruiting class, despite receiving offers from Florida, Missouri, and West Virginia.

It didn’t take long for Young to make an impact with Michigan State. In just his second game, he recorded the first sack of his collegiate career against the Akron Zips. The remainder of his freshman campaign was filled with more drama than production. Against the Michigan Wolverines, the Spartans’ bitter rival, Young was involved in a tunnel brawl following the conclusion of the game. He was charged with aggravated assault and suspended from the program due to his involvement.

After another lack of production in 2023, Young entered his name in the transfer portal and eventually committed to the University of Missouri. He would start every game for the Tigers over the next two seasons, registering a combined nine sacks, 22.0 tackles for loss, and forcing three fumbles. After making the jump from the Big Ten to the SEC, Young became one of the most feared and accomplished pass rushers in the conference.

Accolades

• First-Team All-SEC (2025)
• Missouri Tigers Team Captain (2025)
• 2x SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (2025)
• SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll (2024)
• Academic All-Big Ten Selection (2023)

Best Tools

Zion Young showcases incredible intelligence against the run. He recognizes what offensive tackles are trying to do against him, allowing Young to beat them to their marks. With elite length, he is able to keep blockers from driving him off the line of scrimmage and maintain gap integrity. Additionally, Young keeps his hands active to create separation from linemen and to shed blocks. This is a prospect who will never be taken out of the play when defending the run and one who will always compete to stay involved.

As a pass rusher, Young pairs a non-stop motor with an exceptional bull rush move. He doesn’t take a single snap off and pursues the quarterback until the whistle is blown. When turning speed to power, his raw power is evident and allows him to collapse the pocket. Due to his understanding of leverage, Young is able to showcase an impressive hump move that can outright fool some offensive linemen.

Tools to Improve

On the negative side, Young can be too reliant on his first move. When his first plan of attack fails, he relies too much on his power rather than trying to integrate additional counter moves into his arsenal. Most tackles in the NFL will understand this and try to expose a young player with such a limited counter-attack.

Young didn’t threaten the outside shoulder in college, and unless he can improve his explosiveness, this will likely be the same at the next level, too. This isn’t a player with elite bend or athleticism off the edge. His explosion off the line of scrimmage and into his power moves need to improve in order for him not to rely solely on his raw power.

NFL Projection

There is no doubt Zion Young can be an impactful rookie in 2026, especially as a run defender. He won’t check the boxes for NFL scouts who value twitchy edge rushers with bend. But for the teams trying to identify violent and powerful ones, Young may be the fit. At the very least, he will stick on a roster for his early-down value, but his athletic limitations will likely push him more towards being a day two selection than a first round pick. Defensive Coordinators who value run defenders along their front four, like Dennis Allen or  Steve Spagnuolo, should be lining up for a player with Young’s skill set.