5 Fun facts about new Bears CB Tavon Young
Last Month, the Bears signed former Baltimore Raven, Tavon Young, to a one-year deal. Here are five things that you should know about the 28-year-old corner.
1. He's primarily a nickel-backYoung is 5'9" 185lbs, tough-nosed, has good instincts for the ball, and can come up and make an open-field tackle. He is a sideline-to-sideline speed kind of player who covers ground quickly and is quick to the ball like Eberflus said he's looking for in his defensive players; guys who run around and hustle to the ball.
2. He showed out his rookie yearYoung was drafted in the 4th round of the 2016 draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He played every game and got his first career interception in week 3. By week 6, he was promoted to the number two starting corner; behind longtime Raven Jimmy Smith. He tallied 53 tackles, deflecting eight passes, and intercepting two.
3. When he's healthy, he's legitYoung has torn the same ACL twice (2017 &2020) and had a disc issue in his neck (2019), cutting short three of his six seasons. In college, he made starts as a true freshman, led Temple in interceptions his sophomore and junior years, and earned numerous awards and honours including the Jim Thorpe award his junior year. With the Ravens, he was awarded the Ed Block Courage Award for his relentlessness to give up.
4.In 2019, Young was resigned by the Ravens as the highest-paid slot corner After Young returned from his first ACL tear, he played in 15 games, starting in six, tallying 37 tackles, five pass deflections, an interception, three fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns. The Ravens knew he had potential and resigned him to a three-year- $25.8 million extension. The Bears now sign him to a one-year prove-it deal.
5. He has the determination that Poles is looking for
Earl Thomas III commented on Young after his neck injury, calling him a "bulldog" and a "Pro-Bowl caliber player." Even after each of his injuries, including 2018 when he played 15 games while dealing with a sports hernia, Young rehabbed and came back strong each time. He played every game last year and looks to continue a healthy career in Chicago.
