MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football offensive lineman De'Arius Young recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he wants to do after football, what the main challenge is for the Jaguar offense this weekend against Arkansas State and how he's improved since last season, among other things.
Young, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been a member of the South Alabama roster since signing with the Jags out of San Bernadino Valley Community College prior to the 2015 season. Young played in all but the season opener last season, but has played in the last two games this year after missing the first three games due to injury.
You missed the first couple of games of the season due to injury, what was it like for you not being able to be out on the field?
"It was tough, especially since this is my senior season and you can't ever get that back. It was tough to watch, but I cheered my teammates on in the Mississippi State, Georgia Southern and Louisiana-Lafayette games. I was in their ear telling them to be that extra toughness every play."
What are some of the strengths of the offensive line?
"I would say that we bring a different mentality this year and we are a different group of guys. We're more physical and have great coaching. We've been coached up a lot and bring a completely different mindset."
What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"I want to work in the federal government and be either a DEA [Drug Enforcement Agency] or FBI agent. I've always been interested in that field. My mom also had some influence in that too. She's a former mayor of where we lived at in Cincinnati and she now serves on the city council. I've just always been around politics."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I just like to hang out with my teammates and play video games. We have a group of guys that play [NBA]2K and that's our bonding time. That's something players on our team didn't do a lot of last year. We have bonded more as a team this season and really come together as a team."
What are some challenges the offense faces this week at Arkansas State?
"We need to play a complete game like we did against San Diego State. We didn't play just a half, we didn't play just a quarter against them, but we played a whole game. We also need to be physical."
What are some challenges that you face against the Red Wolves' defensive line this weekend?
"They return a lot of their starters from last year and have nine linemen returning. They like to try to confuse you with what they do. They also have a couple of run stoppers in the middle, one of which transferred from Alabama and he's supposed to be a NFL-type guy."
What are some things the key areas for the offense in order to be successful against Arkansas State?
"We have to be able to run the ball, because that will help open up the passing game."
How did junior college help prepare you for Division I football?
"I went to two different junior colleges. I went to Iowa Western my freshman year, redshirted there and won a national championship there. I played against a lot of guys that made me better and are playing professionally now. I felt like, playing against those guys really prepared me. At my junior college in California, I had to take on a leadership role. I had to step up, grow up and mature in order to take care of business. That experience made me a tougher and better player."
How do you feel like you have improved since junior college?
"I would say I've improved in my technique. In junior college, you don't really have to worry about technique that much. At this level, you have to worry about technique and you have to be a physical player. I was already a physical player, I just lacked the technique. Coach [Richard] Owens has really helped me develop my technique."
What type of leadership role have you assumed on the team?
"I've just tried to lead by example. I'm not really an out-spoken guy. I joke around with my teammates, but I'm not a real rah-rah type player. I just lead by example."
How have you improved since last year?
"I've lost a couple of pounds and that's helped me get my speed back to where it was and that has also helped me with my technique. My flexibility is also better than it was last season. I went through yoga during the spring and summer and that really helped my flexibility."
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"I would say my mom and my coaches. They have always believed in me. Where I come from, a lot of people don't make it to college. I know some great athletes who should be in college, but school just isn't for them. They are just at home. My friends have also played a big role for me. They supported me and I was able to make it out and work on a second degree. Every time I go home, they tell me how proud they are of me. That just continues to motivate me to do right and keep going."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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