Cougars Sign All-American Defensive Lineman

PROVO -- Even before the season has had a chance to end, the BYU coaching staff has already taken a giant step towards gearing up for the 2002 season and improving upon an impressive 12-1 campaign. Head coach Gary Crowton announced today Junior College All-American Scott Young had signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Cougars.

"Scott is a very gifted athlete and a great person," BYU head coach Gary Crowton said. "He has great size, speed and strength. He has all the tools to be an outstanding defensive player at the Division-I level. There is no doubt Scott will have an immediate impact on this team, beginning this spring. We can't say how glad we are that he has chosen to play at BYU."

Young, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive lineman led Dixie College (St. George, Utah) with 15.5 sacks as a sophomore, earning both NJCAA and JC Gridwire First Team All-America honors. After leading the third-ranked Rebels to an impressive 11-1 record on the season, including 40-14 win over Rochester CC in the Rotary Bowl, Young was also named the NJCAA Region 18 Player of the Year.

A two-year defensive starter for the Rebels, Young is a native of Salt Lake City, where he attended Hillcrest High School.