2020 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Blake Young, DT, University of Houston
Student-Athlete Profile:
- Blake Young
- University of Houston
- DT
- 6’2”
- 285lbs.
- Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
- Twitter: @BIGBLAKE91
2018 Statistics:
- GP: 10
- Total Tackles: 14
- TFL: 2.0
- Sacks: 1.0
As an athlete, what is your motivation?
My motivation as an athlete is putting myself in a position to foresee all the goals my childhood best friend and I set out to do. His name is Markcus Harris Unfortunately, Markcus Harris passed away at the age of 16 so I got him tattooed on me and he’s alongside me in this journey.
What defines success for you?
Really it’s beyond the white lines. Like for me success is being at peace, enriched in family love and understanding your hard work you’ve put in is manifesting in golden ways before your eyes.
What would your teammates say about the type of teammate you are?
Funny guy but will turn it on all the way when it’s time.
What are some of your personal “rules” that you never break?
- Never fold when the times get rough.
- Stay diligent and thorough with having faith in the Lord.
- Never be satisfied.
Who is the toughest player you’ve competed against during your collegiate career?
I can’t recall offhand but in the division I play in it’s a lot of tenacious players and they bring their A-game and play at a high level of intensity as their expected. So all opponents are looked at the same.
Who is the best player in the NFL?
Calais Campbell is someone I watch pass rush cut-ups and really admire his game and how he can make big plays through technique. For his size and the different positions he can play, I feel that makes him one of the best but there are many others I can name but as a D-Lineman that’s my opinion.
What is your team of choice on Madden, why?
Madden is all about fun and competing, I can play with any team on the game and be confident about winning.
Failure is inevitable in life. How do you handle situations that don’t go in your favor?
Failure is your first attempt in learning. Coming up to older brother Deon Goggins taught me there was never a straight line on a treasure map and life comes with ups and downs, so in reality, it’s all how you react to that adversity. God makes no mistakes and only puts you in situations you can handle.
Is there a current/former NFL player that you model your game after?
Geno Atkins, Kenny Clark, Mike Daniels, Grady Jarrett, the list can go on. It’s a lot of guys I study in film different ways they affect the game and really it’s the size comparison as well those guys are shorter stockier guys which I consider myself or can see myself in them if that makes sense.
Knowing what you do now, what would you go back and tell yourself as a High-School Freshman?
Personally, I would say nothing because if it wasn’t for those errors they played a part in my journey I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I truly feel somethings in life you don’t need the answers for.
What is your go-to restaurant near campus?
The French Fry House & The BreakfaKlub! Those are my safe havens right there, from the vibe around the place to the good food.
If your life was a book, what would its title be?
“What The Pressure Made: By Blake Young.” To break pressure, either burst pipes or creates diamonds. But pressure can be many things; adversity, the voice in your head that you battle with when things get hard, etc. and through that, I am who I am and if you were to read my book you would understand what the pressure made out of me.
What song or artist do you like but rarely admit to liking?
Kenny G. People wouldn’t expect it but this is an artist in my daily rotation of music when I’m at the house in my own world
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
Kobe Bryant and the question of the night would basically breakdown all aspects of the mamba mentality, success vs. likeness, and the on the off and switch of being a competitor and a family man.
Forty-years from now, what do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for the energy I exuded. Whether it was the happiness I spoke into others or showed others. Also the comfort I gave them when I came around I want that to be talked about in the most uplifting way.
In 15 words or less, why should an NFL team invest in you?
Nobody will outwork me on the field my passion for the game has no limits.
