Perseverance Pays Off: Byron Young’s Journey to Rocky Top
Alfred Ezman
Every young man develops through their own path and tribulations. It can often create a captivating journey that does not always get the recognition it deserves.
Tennessee defensive end Byron Young’s story has been nothing short of inspirational. From humble South Carolina roots to JUCO ball, he has been battle tested to get to the stage he occupies today. He has become a respected member of not only the Volunteer football team, but also of the University of Tennessee community.
Young has always shown leadership qualities throughout his entire life. Prior to suiting up for the Vols, he started his career at Georgia Military College, an NJCAA member located in Milledgeville, Georgia.
I always wanted to get back into football, but I didn’t really know where to get started. We [Young and his brother] saw this flyer on the internet for tryouts. It was another opportunity and it made me feel very happy … I was just excited to start that journey.Byron Young
Young made the team and started spring practices in March of 2019. He said that GMC also helped him grow as an individual.
It taught me a lot of things, like how to be responsible and accountable … The man I am today, was because of Georgia Military College.
Married To Da Game?? pic.twitter.com/ThvOvzRIKa
— B.Y. (@byron_97) October 18, 2020
Young also served in the cadet corps while playing football at a military institute. He eventually worked to become a leader of a cadet group and made sure they were positioned where they needed to be in a timely fashion.
He described the JUCO level being a totally different way of living compared to the Power 5 experience.
Nothing but respect for you thanks @rmchester00 ??????? https://t.co/IU9mhfX7BV
— B.Y. (@byron_97) September 26, 2020
Here [at Tennessee], you get a lot more resources and more help. But in JUCO, it’s harder because you are more on your own. I was working while playing JUCO. I had to pay for my apartment and school.
Young is extremely thankful for the coaches at GMC for helping him learn to balance school, work, and football. He felt that without them, he could not have had the opportunities he got to play college football at a high level.
When 2020 came, the coronavirus pandemic came with it. The pandemic also brought along the uncertainty of the football season even happening. Unfortunately, Georgia Military College’s season was canceled for 2020-21.
There always was that doubt in my mind. My mom just kept telling me to work hard and someone will see it. I believed it, but it was hard with a situation like COVID, with games getting canceled.
Eventually, lady luck smiled in Young’s direction when he got offered and ended up committing to Tennessee in December 2020. His perseverance paid off with the Vols giving him a chance to play in Neyland Stadium on Saturdays.
I remember the day I got the phone call. I cried and called my family. I never saw myself playing for Tennessee. I wanted to, but I never thought I would get there. But now, I am thankful for staying on my path.
Congrats to our new GMC Alum Byron Young @byron_97 on signing with @Vol_Football last week! So well deserved! #GMC4Life @GMC_Football @GMCCoachBert @JuCoFootballACE @GilPound_URNews @GMCBulldogs @sportsguymarv pic.twitter.com/7cSWdB5qB8
— Rob Manchester (@rmchester00) December 27, 2020
The Volunteers’ coaching staff took time to rightly prepare Young for Division I college football, and their patience along with Young’s patience was rewarded. He escalated to becoming one of the more notable defenders on the team, finishing his first year on Rocky Top with 46 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
Over the course of the 2021-22 academic year, Young participated in the VOLeaders Academy. The program is offered to Tennessee student-athletes as a way for them to develop as leaders and engage with the community to create positive social change.
Our overall goal is to really develop them as individual leaders. You learn the art of self-leadership in regard to their emotional intelligence, their patience style, and their values.Executive Director for Student-Athlete Development Jessica Wildfire
Yesterday we spent the 4th of July in Sunzu Village. We helped to break in a brand new playground, had a dance party, went for a swim, played basketball & handed out eggs to preschoolers as part of the one egg a day initiative. A perfect way to spend the holiday! #VOLeaders365 pic.twitter.com/3Wm5IPcAow
— VOLeaders Academy (@VOLeaders) July 5, 2022
Along with the other student-athletes admitted into the program, Young and the other VOLeaders embarked on a trip over the summer to Rwanda. The excursion consisted of athletes serving with local non-profits in providing sports equipment and facilities to those in the country that did not have easy access to them. This included improving basketball and tennis courts as well as visiting the Rwandan Olympic Committee.
Another part of the trip was when the group visited schools in the mountain villages of the country.
“Having a non-traditional path to Tennessee gave him a lot of maturity and a lot of life experience,” Wildfire expressed. “He was also nervous. We ask our athletes to buy into this idea of being courageous and to open up to new experiences that will help them.”
Young was very much open to this idea. Much like his time at GMC and when he got the offer for Tennessee, he understood the opportunity and privilege he was given.
He showed up every day and engaged in tough conversations. He asked great questions.Jessica Wildfire
Rwanda was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I left not knowing what to expect and came out with a completely different perspective on life… never been so grateful for the experience and joy I received ???? just wanted to say thank you VOLeaders for this amazing opportunity???????? pic.twitter.com/iXrcyOALfg
— B.Y. (@byron_97) July 22, 2022
Wildfire is also impressed with Byron’s growth as a person and athlete compared to last fall.
“His confidence in himself as a leader exploded. I feel like he knew he had this capacity to really make an impact as a leader on his team. But he wasn’t quite sure what that looked like until now.”
Young found ways to reach people with different personalities and thus improved his communication skills within the program. His confidence to step up and speak to large groups grew massively, and his accountability for himself and others also skyrocketed. His experience truly embodied what the program is all about.
It was a great experience. I actually miss it a lot, just being with the kids and engaging with them. I’d teach them different things and they’d teach me different things.Byron Young
Checking in with @901_sxvxge and @byron_97 as the head to Rwanda with the @VOLeaders #GBO ?? pic.twitter.com/vAgXeAYWL2
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) June 30, 2022
He described VOLeaders as a family and became more comfortable working in groups of people as time went on. He said the group work and mission work in Rwanda definitely translated to him becoming a stronger leader on the field so far this season.
He says there is a newfound confidence in his voice when he speaks at practices and games, and it’s leading to his teammates listening and respecting the wisdom he has gathered from VOLeaders and his collegiate journey.
“I just want to keep growing. I just want to build off of what I have gained throughout camp and this summer and apply it to this season … It was a hard journey, but I am so happy I had it. It has made me so grateful now.”
Now in his senior season, Young’s presence is vital for his team, and his life experiences have shaped him into an exceptional player and man. The Volunteers are fortunate to have Byron leading the defense on Saturdays.