Interview: 3-Star 2019 LB Kendall Young Talks Vanderbilt Commodores Verbal Commitment

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: 0-3

2018 Stats (2 games): 35 tackles, 20 solo, and two sacks

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

This is the fourth installment of a weekly interview series with Class of 2019 linebacker Kendall Young. In this interview, we cover Bentonville West’s close game against Bryant, look ahead to the Wolverines game against Fayetteville, and confirm a Sept. 20 verbal commitment date.

*Click link for Week 4, bye week, interview with Kendall Young

Interview

Kendall, congratulations on your commitment.

“Thank you.”

What was the recruiting process like for you that led to your commitment to Vanderbilt?

“That was my most recent offer. Narrowing it down to three, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, and Missouri – I was in a bind. I liked Arkansas a lot. Arkansas is where I from. I like what they have going on at Arkansas with Coach (Chad) Morris (head coach) and their defensive coordinator, Coach (John) Chavis, the whole staff really. Mizzou is a great school with a great coaching staff. Coach (Barry) Odom (head coach), I appreciate him and the staff. They were my first major offer. Nashville is just a great city. Vanderbilt offers great academics and I get to play in the SEC.”

When did you know Vanderbilt was the place for you?

“On my unofficial visit, I felt like that was the place where I want to be in college. I knew if they showed progress this year that I would commit to Vanderbilt, and they have. They have an NFL staff, Coach (Jason) Tarver (defensive coordinator) is a NFL kind of coach. I feel he can get me to the next level. I like the progress that they have been showing, I am excited.”

When did you and who did you commit to on the Vandy coaching staff?

“I committed today. I told Tate Benton first, I talk to him all the time. He is the defensive quality control guy for Vanderbilt.”

What was the staffs’ reaction to your commitment?

“They were very happy. Coach Benton said the whole coaching staff was happy that I committed. They stopped a meeting they were in and we had a 30-minute conversation. I feel it will be good for me and them.”

How do they plan to use you within their scheme?

“I will be playing the Star position. Basically, it is what I used to do, 3-4 outside linebacker who rushes the passer and drops back into coverage. An athletic type at outside linebacker.”

How does it feel to have a dream come true?

“It feels really good. It truly is a dream come true. Three years ago, I could have never expected this. Praise to God.”

When will you visit Nashville next?

“Not this weekend, but next weekend for the Florida game.”

What is the plan on the official visit?

“I want to see what they have cooking up. I want to see how I will play in their scheme. I will be watching Charles Wright. That is the position I will be playing.”

Turning to your senior season. You guys have a tough game on Friday against Fayetteville, how do you plan on attacking their offense?

“We got informed their running back moved to Georgia and their quarterback, Darius Bowers, has a sprained MCL and concussion. That makes it easier for us, but we will still attack them like they are playing.”

Being that this is essentially a crosstown rival kind of game, is there a lot of talking that goes on between the snaps?

“For sure. We have a Twitter bar stool talking going into the game. Our team does not talk a lot of trash, we show it on the field.”

Kendall, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Fayetteville.

“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

Week 6 – vs. Springdale

Week 7 – vs. Rogers

Week 8 – at Har-Ber (Springdale)

Week 9 – at Rogers Heritage

Week 10 – vs. Van Buren

Week 11 – at Bentonville

Photo credit: Kendall Young Twitter; No. 24 Kendall Young

Photo credit: Kendall Young; Kendall Young Twitter statement