With only 36 days left until the NFL season kicks off, let’s take a look at the Panthers’ #36, FB Darrel Young.
Bio
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 250 lbs
Age: 30
College: Villanova
Experience: 7 years
Career
Young was signed as a free agent by Carolina in January 2017 after spending the 2009-2015 seasons in Washington. In 2016 he was signed by the Chicago Bears but was cut during the preseason.
Here’s a summary of his career, courtesy of Panthers.com:
2016: Signed as a free agent by Chicago (8/4) and was released during the preseason (8/29).
2015: Played in 16 games with three starts for Washington. Rushed for 10 yards on six attempts. Compiled six receptions for 22 yards. Postseason: Played in NFC Wild Card versus Green Bay (1/10).
2014: Played in 16 games with 10 starts for Washington. Rushed for 22 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. Notched 11 catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Finished third on the team with five touchdowns. Honors: [Washington's] Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee. At Houston (9/7): Barreled up the middle for a one-yard touchdown. Vs. Jacksonville (9/14): Split out at wide receiver and was wide open at the goal line for a 20-yard touchdown reception. At Philadelphia (9/21): Culminated [Washington’s] opening drive of the game with a four-yard touchdown catch. Vs. Philadelphia (12/20): Produced two touchdowns on one-yard runs in the third quarter. Marked second career multi-rushing touchdown game. Became just the third NFL player since 1970 to have two touchdowns on two attempts for just two rushing yards.
2013: Played in 13 games with seven starts and was inactive for three games for Washington. Rushed for 41 yards and three touchdowns on 12 attempts. Had four receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown. Inactive with a hamstring injury versus San Francisco (11/25), versus the New York Giants (12/1) and versus Kansas City (12/8). At Dallas (10/13): Rumbled a career-long 19 yards. Vs. San Diego (11/3): Tied a team record with three rushing touchdowns, coming on five carries for 12 yards. Scored on a pair of one-yard runs in the third and fourth quarter and powered four yards off right guard for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. At Philadelphia (11/17): Hauled in a career-long 62-yard touchdown catch.
2012: Played in 16 games with eight starts for Washington. Rushed for 60 yards on 14 carries. Recorded eight catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Contributed to offense that became the first one in NFL history to amass 3,600 passing yards and 1,700 rushing yards. Postseason: Started at fullback in NFC Wild Card versus Seattle (1/6). Carried once for three yards. Vs. Minnesota (10/14): Snagged a play-action pass for a six-yard touchdown. At New York Giants (10/21): Established career highs with five rushing attempts and 26 rushing yards. Vs. Philadelphia (11/18): Slipped out of the backfield on a play fake for a six-yard touchdown reception. Vs. Dallas (12/30): Opened holes for running back Alfred Morris to set a team-record with 200 rushing yards in NFC East division clinching win.
2011: Played in 13 games with eight starts and was inactive for three games for Washington. Rushed for 33 yards and one touchdown on six attempts. Posted 15 receptions for 146 yards. Added eight special teams tackles. Helped two different running backs, Roy Helu and Evan Royster, to 100-yard rushing performances. Inactive with a hamstring injury at Dallas (9/26) and at St. Louis (10/2) and with a concussion versus the New York Jets (12/4). At New York Giants (12/18): Scored first career rushing touchdown on a six-yard run. At Philadelphia (1/1): Tallied a career-high four catches for 40 yards.
2010: Signed as a free agent by Washington (1/5). Played in 16 games. Rushed four times for 19 yards. Caught one pass, a three-yard touchdown. Logged 14 special teams tackles. Vs. Dallas (9/12): Made NFL debut. Vs. Philadelphia (11/15): Gained 16 yards on first NFL rushing attempt. Scored first career touchdown on a three-yard reception from quarterback Donovan McNabb.
2009: Spent the first two games of the season on Washington's practice squad before being terminated from the unit (9/24). Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by [Washington] (5/6) and was waived during the final roster cutdown (9/5).
Young is currently competing with rookie Alex Armah for the Panthers’ fullback position. His veteran status could help him earn the job, especially with Armah having practice squad eligibility. It’s certainly a battle worth paying attention to during the preseason.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Does he have a shot to make the roster?