Interview: 2019 Bentonville West LB Kendall Young Prepares for Senior Night and Vanderbilt Coaches Game Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Kendall Young Profile
Height and Weight: 6-5, 215
Position: Linebacker
Classification: 2019
Recruiting Ranking: 3-Star
High School: Bentonville West – Bentonville, Arkansas – 7A West
2018 Wolverines Record: 5-3
2018 Stats (2 games): 73 tackles, 39 solo, 11 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one blocked field goal
2017 Wolverines Record: 9-3
2017 Stats (10 games): 85 tackles, 55 solo, 17 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, and one forced fumble
Commitment: Vanderbilt on Sept. 20, 2018
Reported Offers (13): Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana Tech, Tulsa, Southeast Missouri, Army, Texas State, Tulane, Rice, Louisiana-Lafayette, Princeton, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas State
Top Schools: Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Missouri
This part of a season-long interview series with Class of 2019 linebacker Kendall Young. In this interview, we cover Bentonville West’s win over Rogers Heritage with a look ahead to the Van Buren showdown.
*Click link for previous game preview with Kendall Young
Interview
Kendall, the Wolverines have been on a tear over the last five games. What do you attribute the turn around with the season to as someone in the thick of it all?
“The first three games we played, they were tough non-conference and we had some injuries. We had three team captains go down then and one of them was our starting quarterback. We have been on a tear over the last five games. Our defense is looking good and we are playing up to our potential. Everything is coming together as needed before we go into the playoffs.”
You guys got consecutive shutouts against Har-Ber and Rogers Heritage, what did the team do so well against league rivals?
“We went out there and did our thing. Rogers should have been a shutout. Har-Ber, we came into that game with the mindset that we were going to create turnovers and hit them in the mouth to make them quit. Now, we want a shut out for every game the rest of this season.”
You get Van Buren on Friday, what kind of 7A West Conference showdown can the fans expect in that game?
“Their head coach is our former offensive coordinator from last year. I have known him for about four years. He knows our players and our schemes, but we will know their schemes. We changed around a lot of stuff for this game. There will be some tension out there. We want to show him he made a mistake leaving us. But, I do respect his decision. He had to do what he felt was best for him and his family. Regardless, it will be a showdown. Like I said, we want another doughnut on the board.”
As a Vanderbilt verbal commitment living in Arkansas, what will the Commodores game against the Razorbacks be like for you on Saturday?
“I will have go to school with all the Vanderbilt gear on come Friday. People are already talking to me that Vandy will lose to Arkansas. I am excited for the game. Coach (Derke) Mason (head coach) and the staff are coming up for the Van Buren game. That will be fun.”
What will it be like for you having the Vanderbilt coaches at the game on Friday?
“It is also our Senior Night. It will be a big night already and on top of that them coming to see me play, I will try to show out and leave my mark. I want all the seniors to play, and I want everyone to play well. I want everyone to get into the game.”
Are you going to the game on Saturday?
“I am planning on it.”
What are you doing for Halloween?
“I don’t celebrate Halloween too much. I will go to a haunted house or something like that to celebrate and have fun.”
What is your favorite Halloween or scary movie?
“Saw.”
That is a creepy one. Kendall, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Van Buren and have fun at the game on Saturday.
“Thank you.”
2018 Bentonville West Schedule
Week 1 – at Owasso (56-40 loss)
Week 1 stats – 12 tackles, seven solo (44-31 loss)
Week 2 – vs. Fort Smith Southside
13 tackles, seven solo, and a sack
Week 3 – vs. No. 4 Bryant (17-10 loss)
10 tackles and one sack
Week 4 – bye
Week 5 – at Fayetteville (won 31-28)
15 tackles, two sacks
Week 6 – vs. Springdale (won 35-22)
15 tackles and 3.5 sacks
Week 7 – vs. Rogers (won 41-14)
DNP
Week 8 – at Har-Ber (Springdale – won 45-0)
1 tackle
Week 9 – at Rogers Heritage (won 42-0)
3 tackles, one tackle for a loss
Week 10 – vs. Van Buren
Week 11 – at Bentonville
Photo credit: WholeHogSports; No. 24 Kendall Young vs. Muskogee (OK)