Big Blue Wall keeps a brick: UK’s Landon Young won’t leave early for NFL Draft
University of Kentucky offensive tackle Landon Young will use his last remaining year of eligibility at the school next season.
Young announced Friday that he will return to UK instead of submitting his name in the upcoming NFL Draft. He addressed a letter to the “Big Blue Nation” in an image with the caption “To be continued” on his social media accounts.
“After sitting out the 2018 season due to injury, I got to experience the love and support that the #BBN has for their own,” Young wrote. “It made me realize that this university is more than a school; it’s my home. When I thought about leaving I realized there were things I still wanted to accomplish and without another year it wouldn’t be possible. I am excited to play one more season and wear the state of Kentucky across my chest.”
Young’s decision means Kentucky should bring back four of its five starters from this year’s offensive line, which helped the Wildcats rush for a school-record 3,624 yards, allowing them to lead the Southeastern Conference in that category for the first time in program history. Seniors Logan Stenberg, UK’s starting left guard, and Mason Wolfe, a reserve, are out of eligibility.
The 6-foot-7, 321-pound offensive lineman could have foregone his final season of eligibility and entered the NFL Draft. Young played as a true freshman and sophomore but had to redshirt during his junior year due to a preseason knee injury. He started all 13 games at left tackle this season, one in which he was named captain of the 2019 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes community service efforts across college football.
Young at one time was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with UK (he was recently surpassed by Justin Rogers, a defensive tackle from Michigan). He was a five-star prospect according to both 247Sports and Rivals after an All-State career at Lafayette High School in Lexington, which he helped lead to the 2015 Class 6A state championship game.
As of Friday, quarterback/wide receiver Lynn Bowden is Kentucky’s only non-senior who has declared for the NFL Draft. Bowden announced his decision prior to the Belk Bowl.
