Former Tennessee Vols standout is tops in the NFL in one of the league's big money categories

The Los Angeles Rams have had a strong start to their 2025 season at 5-2, and one former Tennessee Vol is a big reason for that success.

DE Byron Young is having a tremendous third season in the league for the Rams. Through seven games, Young is tied for first in the NFL (with the New York Giants' Brian Burns) with 9 sacks.

Former Vols edge rusher Byron Young is tied for the NFL lead in sacks

Young was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 77th overall pick. He burst onto the scene with a solid rookie season in 2023, notching 8 sacks and 8 tackles for loss across 17 games. He followed that up with a solid second season, totaling 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

But now, Young has taken his game to another level, and it's one that should pay off handsomely for him in short order. The NFL has evolved more in recent years, with a focus on analytics and stats beyond just sacks. Pressure rate is crucial, and Young has been strong there with a pressure rate of 15.2% this season.

Still, while pressure is very important, sacks are still big impact plays that can change games. That was on display in Week 6 this season, when Chargers QB Justin Herbert fought out of a sack attempt from Dolphins OLB Jaelan Phillips inside the game's final minute. Instead of a sack that would have all but wrapped the game up for Miami, Herbert picked up a long completion to Ladd McConkey that resulted in a walk-off field goal for LA.

As such, teams are still willing to pay big money top-level sack production. We'll see if Young, who will have one more year on his rookie deal, will get a sizeable extension from the Rams during the offseason.