Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 71 John Young

The Kentucky football countdown continues with another salute to a member of the Big Blue Wall, No. 71 John Young.

About Young

Young was a consensus four-star recruit in the class of 2020. He became the first player to commit following a prolific April recruiting weekend that also included Beau Allen, Justin Rogers, Deon Buford and Dru Phillips.

In addition to earning all-state honors on the football field, he was one of the best shot put throwers in the Commonwealth. Coached by former Louisville quarterback Stefan Lefors, Young won a pair of Class 2A State Titles in his four years at Christian Academy of Louisville. However, I will be quick to remind him who he lost his final high school football game to whenever I get the chance. Yes, it was my alma mater, DeSales. Yes, I still talk high school rivalry trash to 20-year-olds. No, I don’t have a problem; you have a problem.

John Young Fun Fact

If this football thing doesn’t work out for Young, he could have a future as a professional golfer. Arguably the best golfer on the Kentucky football team, last summer he broke 80 for the first time. It should be no surprise that the 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman’s greatest strength on the links is off the tee. During the Cats’ Citrus Bowl outing at TopGolf, he was smashing balls over the driving range’s net.

2022 Forecast

A slow-cooker, Young saw his first significant snaps last fall, playing in all 13 games as a member of Kentucky’s special teams unit. He’s made great strides in the last year. This fall he will be a regular member of the rotation on the Big Blue Wall at offensive guard. With Jager Burton on the other side of the center, the future of the interior offensive line is bright at Kentucky.