The Senior Bowl is where NFL dreams start to crystallize - and this week, Missouri edge rusher Zion Young is making sure his name is front and center in every scout’s notebook.
Young, who posted 6.5 sacks for the Tigers this past season, has been one of the biggest standouts in Mobile. And it’s not just the stat sheet that’s turning heads - it’s the tape. During 1-on-1 drills, Young has been flat-out dominant, flashing the kind of explosiveness and technique that makes evaluators sit up in their chairs.
Let’s talk about what makes these reps so impressive. On one snap, Young went up against 6-foot-5, 311-pound offensive tackle Jude Bowry - and made him look like a blocking sled.
Young didn’t just beat Bowry; he tossed him aside with a blend of power and leverage that’s hard to teach. What’s more, he stayed engaged through the whistle, showing the kind of motor coaches love on Sundays.
Then came the finesse. In another rep, Young sold the outside rush before snapping inside with a perfectly timed cut.
That’s high-level pass rushing - not just athleticism, but awareness, timing, and hand usage all working in sync. It’s the kind of move that separates good college players from future pros.
Coming into the week, Young was largely viewed as a Day 2 guy - a solid third-round prospect with upside. But after what he’s shown in Mobile, that ceiling is starting to rise. It’s hard to watch these reps and not think he’s playing his way into second-round territory, maybe even higher if he backs it up at the Combine.
CBS Sports currently ranks him as the No. 110 overall prospect. That number feels like it’s on borrowed time.
In a draft class that’s not exactly overflowing with elite pass rushers, Young’s performance this week could be a game-changer for his stock. He’s long been praised for his run defense, but now he’s showing he can win as a pass rusher too - and that’s the kind of versatility NFL teams covet.
Young isn’t the only Missouri player making noise this draft cycle. Four other Tigers - Keagen Trost, Josiah Trotter, Kevin Coleman Jr., and Chris McClellan - are all expected to hear their names called in April.
Coleman and McClellan are also in Mobile this week, looking to boost their own stock alongside Young. Meanwhile, Damon Wilson II, another potential pro, chose to transfer to Miami instead of entering the draft.
But right now, it’s Young who’s commanding the spotlight. With each dominant rep, he’s not just climbing draft boards - he’s redefining where his NFL journey might begin.