Ohio State Football: Making Heisman Trophy case for Chase Young
By Dante Pryor
As we enter the back nine of the season, it’s time to think about awards and think about why Ohio State football’s Chase Young deserves Heisman love.
Chase Young should sweep this season’s defensive awards like Whitney Houston and Adele did at the Grammys. He’s by far the best defensive player in college football.
When does being the most dominant defensive player bring you into the conversation of being the best football player in the country? Look, it’s 2019. The rules governing football are slanted toward offense — even rules about player safety are more about keeping offensive players safe. How many times have you seen offensive targeting? There are rules to keep defensive players safe, but the larger point is, defensive players rarely enter the conversation as being the best player in the country.
When offensive players put up video game-like numbers in these spread, RPO-based offenses, instantly they must be the best player. The argument is since the quarterback touches the ball every play he has the greatest influence over the game. You can’t argue that, but does that mean a defensive lineman, who plays close to the ball, can’t have as great an impact on the game?
A defensive lineman might not touch the ball every down, but when a coach has to scheme an entire game plan around one player they’ve just had as much impact on the game as any quarterback.
Enter Chase Young. He’s the definition of a freak athlete.
You want measurables? Young has measureables. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he’s a presence on the field, and he runs like a gazelle. His first step off the snap is Lawrence Taylor-esque. His build is an amalgamation of every great college defensive end. He has long arms like Alonzo Spellman and Jevon Kearse. He’s long and athletic like Derrick Thomas was at Alabama, and has top end speed like Jadeveon Clowney.
Sometimes, however, the look doesn’t match the tape. Well, Young’s 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and 15.5 tackles for loss prove he’s the most dominant player in the country.
Let’s make a case for Chase.