Ohio State defensive end Chase Young wasn’t on anyone’s Heisman Trophy watch list heading into Saturday’s action, but that’s not the case after his dominating performance against Wisconsin. He was so special against the Badgers some people even think he should be a lock to go No. 1 overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
During the rain-filled first half, Young got to Jack Coan twice for two sacks and had three total tackles for a loss. He then picked up a sack in both the third and fourth quarters to go along with two forced fumbles.
He entered the game with 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles on the year. His four sacks on Saturday tied an Ohio State school record for most sacks in a game and with his sack total sitting at 13.5 he surpassed his sack number last season of 10.5.
He truly did look like a man amongst boys each and every time he lined up and people took notice including JJ Watt and LeBron James.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 26, 2019
What unbelievable analysis from Watt here. He should quit football and just become an analyst and writer, in my opinion.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 26, 2019
When it comes to the Heisman race, he’s the forgotten man on his Ohio State team thanks to quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins but he gained some serious ground with his performance against the Badgers.
A lot of people out there believe he should be a serious candidate when it comes to Heisman Trophy finalists.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) October 26, 2019
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) October 26, 2019
— NICK KAYAL 🎙📻💻📺 (@NickKayal) October 26, 2019
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) October 26, 2019
— Kyle Seeley (@ItsKyleSeeley) October 26, 2019
ESPN’s Booger McFarland thinks that Young should go No. 1 in this year’s NFL Draft. He’s among the Top 5 on most mock draft boards out there at the moment, but Saturday definitely caught people’s eye.
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) October 26, 2019
— Mark Tauscher (@MarkTauscher65) October 26, 2019
The last time a defensive player won the Heisman was back in 1997 when Charles Woodson hoisted the trophy.
If Young does get the invite to New York at the end of the season he’d be the first defensive lineman to be named a finalist since Ndamukong Suhi n 2009. Suh had 12.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss that season, so Young already has that sack number beat this season.
The Buckeyes beat the Badgers 38-7.
