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'Do the impossible': Cape Central, SEMO standout Al Young hopes to take NFL by storm with the New York Giants
When Al Young's name wasn't called during the 2022 NFL Draft, he prepared himself for the possible end of his football career.
"I was getting told that I would go in the sixth or seventh round," Young said. "I was kind of nervous, thinking, 'That's probably it.' After that last name was called, I looked at my family and said 'Maybe this is meant to be. It's probably over.' "
The New York Giants, however, had other plans for the Cape Central alum.
"I finally ended up getting the call," Young said. "They said, 'Do you want to be a Giant?' and I was like, 'No question.' "
Young spent time leading up to the draft in Nashville working out with some of the best players in college football.
"It was pretty crazy. I was training up in Nashville and I was around a lot of guys that actually got drafted," Young said. "I just felt like I belonged in that category."
As a member of the Giants, Young feels his competitiveness will help him, but overall, he plans to just be himself.
"I'm competitive with everything I do," Young said. "I don't care if it's special teams or what, I'm competing for everything. In the weight room or outside the weight room, on the field or off the field, I'm going to be that guy.
I'm just going to be myself. I feel like I know what I bring to the table, and I know I could just step it up a notch. Then, just repeat it at every level, every chance I get, like trying to be the first one in and the last one out."
In addition to making the Giants' final 53-man roster, Young has other, more lofty goals in mind.
"Obviously I want to make the roster and I want to work my way into a starting spot," Young said. "After that, I at least want to make a Pro Bowl and I want a gold jacket.
"I want to go in there with high intentions. I want to set goals that I know I can reach and do the impossible. ... I already had that in my mind. I don't want to go in there with any negative thinking, because that's how bad things happen."
To say Young was a decorated high school athlete may be an understatement. He was a three-time All-State selection in football for Cape Central where he set 12 school records, won the 2015 Carr Trophy, was named Semoball Offensive Football Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and was Overall Male Athlete in 2014.
During high school, he amassed 2,635 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns, and had 1,446 yards from scrimmage with 25 touchdowns on 122 touches his junior season when he helped lead the Tigers to their only state championship appearance.
Young decided to commit to Southeast Missouri State where he was made a full-time defensive player. He was granted a medical redshirt in 2019 after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury just four games into the season.
During his time in a Redhawks uniform, Young recorded 71 total tackles, 26 pass breakups, seven interceptions — one of which he returned for a score — and one fumble recovery.
Following a shortened 2020 season played in the spring, Young tested the waters elsewhere. He eventually landed at Jackson State, an HBCU in Jackson, Mississippi, where he played under Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders.
"When he called me I was in shock," Young said about his first interaction with Sanders. "I couldn't even talk straight. After I got there, seeing him in person, it was just crazy.
"Then I just started seeing him more and more and he was just a normal person to me, like a funny older person. He reminded me of one of my coaches back when I played in peewee league, just an older coach who tries to be funny a little bit around the kids."
Being coached by Sanders aided Young's growth at the position and prepared him for NFL schemes. The senior transfer made 23 total tackles, broke up 11 passes while intercepting two and recovered two fumbles.
"We ran an NFL-style defense, so half of the plays we called were like NFL plays," Young said. "Learning an NFL defense and then being able to take that to the next level, it's like I'm already prepared.
"Him being able to coach me mentally and show me keys and tips to being a good corner. He taught me when to jump routes and when not to, when to have eyes on the quarterback and when not to. He just monitored my game a lot and tweaked it. He knew I was a good player or he wouldn't have brought me in."
Now that Young has made it to the league, he encourages other young athletes to stay the course.
"It ain't ever easy," Young said. "I remember going into college, my freshman and sophomore years at SEMO, I didn't play at all that much. I worked my butt off just to get on the field my junior year and it made me the person I am today. Just wait for your time, don't rush it and just be ready when it's your moment."