Picture this: You live in Columbus, Georgia, and often stop by a local Dollar General, where you regularly see a young man working behind the counter. What you don’t see is that this isn’t his only job. Before clocking in there, he spent hours working shifts at Burger King, balancing two jobs just to get by. Eventually, his dedication earned him a promotion to sales manager at Dollar General, allowing him to leave Burger King behind. A few years later, that same man appears on your television, playing a key role on one of the NFL’s best defenses. This was the reality of Rams defensive tackle Byron Young .

After high school Young did not have strong grades and did not receive a single offer to play college football. After high school the star defensive tackle decided to move in with his brother, Brandon, and worked multiple jobs just to try and survive. Young’s unorthodox career path can be seen on his LinkedIn page, which is still active. 

Before the 2019 football season, Young encountered a flier promoting tryouts at Georgia Military College, and decided he wanted to pursue his dream once more. At the tryout, Young “tested well,” said then GMC defensive coordinator Rob Manchester, and the team decided to take a chance on his raw talent. Manchester, now the head coach, said “he was kind of like a big ball of clay and we just molded him.” Young had hoped to play linebacker, but the coaching staff decided he fit the bill of defensive end. 

Young went from managerial duties at a Dollar General to grinding through practices, games, cadet training, and classes at his new home at GMC. Young would even attempt to sneak onto the field with the scout team to gain additional reps. He was relentless. 

During what would have been his sophomore season, Young returned to working at Circle K after the pandemic canceled GMC’s season. However, that did not stop his continued pursuit of a collegiate career. The Rams defensive tackle had offers from several premier college football programs, such as Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, and Florida. Young ultimately made what turned out to be an excellent decision by committing to Tennessee.

Rocky Top

At Tennessee, Byron Young not only found his footing, but he excelled, quickly. In just 24 total games with the Vols, Young racked up 12.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. This stint with Tennessee was enough to garner the attention of NFL scouts, and he declared for the draft following the conclusion of the 2022 season. In the following April, Young was selected in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

However, this is not where Young’s rise concludes. In his rookie season, Young impressed and overachieved, even receiving some consideration in defensive rookie of the year voting. The Rams have expanded his role, as he is now a key contributor to their defensive front. In 2025, just his 3rd full season in the NFL, Young racked up 12 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Young’s excellence earned him his first career Pro Bowl nod, and many expect him to continue to get better. 

From stocking shelves and flipping burgers to chasing quarterbacks on Sundays, Byron Young’s journey is a reminder that paths to greatness are rarely straight. His rise was not built on early accolades or guaranteed opportunities, but on persistence, humility, and an unwavering belief in his dream. Every extra shift, every rep fought for, and every setback endured helped shape the player and person he is today. Once just another face behind a Dollar General counter in Columbus, Georgia, Young now stands as proof that no dream is too distant, and no starting point too small, for those willing to work relentlessly toward something greater.

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