Cory Young
Running Back
Northern Arizona
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Cory Young: I measured on Saturday at 5’10 ½, 215 and my 40 time is a 4.49. I am working to get that down.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Cory Young: Winner Circle in Corona, CA. The facility is owned by Jordan Campbell. He played with the Chiefs and the Redskins.
Alex Khvatov: When is your Pro Day?
Cory Young: March 25th.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Cory Young: I am from CA. I came out of the same high school as Toby Gerhart. He starred at RB for Stanford. His dad was my coach. I had Boise State and all of the MWC teams. I also had an offer from Washington, but when Steve Sarkisian went to USC, that offer fizzled. I was 170 pounds coming out of high school.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Boise State?
Cory Young: Boise State was known for its speed offense like Oregon. It was the best school for me at the time. I spent three seasons there. I redshirted my first year. Then my older brother transferred from Stanford to Boise State. He was a RB as well. He was a graduate senior and he took my reps during my redshirt freshman year. I learned a lot from him. I played mostly special teams during my time at Boise.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you decide to transfer to Northern Arizona?
Cory Young: It was my first offer out of high school. The coach reached out to me on twitter when he found out that I was transferring. I didn’t want to go to a D-I school because I wanted to play immediately. It worked out perfectly. I transferred to NAU. I felt more comfortable there. I wanted a fresh start. I learned a lot of things at Boise like watching film and eating right. I got to about 210 pounds my junior year, but I was still very fast. I understood the game more.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Cory Young: I bring speed. I was always a speed guy. I was 165 or 170 coming out of high school. I have the power now at 215. I catch the ball out of the backfield and can pass protect. I am very versatile.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Cory Young: Getting in better shape and improving my stamina. Not overthinking and just relaxing out there. I need to continue to improve the mental part of my game. I also need to get a lot stronger in my legs and get better in pass protection.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career at NAU.
Cory Young: I started two years at NAU. I was a Big Sky all-conference my junior year. During my senior year, our starting QB got hurt. I still earned Big Sky honorable mention. I had 1,400 yards and 14 TD’s in my two seasons. I was the leader of the team. I was part of the leadership council.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Cory Young: My long 60-yard TD versus Arizona.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Cory Young: Earning all-conference in our league.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Cory Young: From Boise State, I learned the blue-collar mindset. You need to grind and compete in everything. At NAU, coaches taught me more about the game of football. Understanding schemes, tendencies and watching film.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Cory Young: I always liked the Seahawks since Pete Carroll took over. I liked Shaun Alexander when he was there. I was a die-hard fan. I love the Saints now. I love their running game and versatility that they bring on offense.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Cory Young: Saquon Barkley. He has a swagger. He runs with power, speed and elusiveness. I also like Alvin Kamara. I love the way he catches the ball out of the backfield and how dangerous he is in the open field.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a RB?
Cory Young: Explosion. You need to let the blocks develop and then explode through the hole.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the defense?
Cory Young: I am looking at the front, depth of the linebackers, where the safeties are and coverage.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Cory Young: CB Khalil Dorsey is a track guy. He is the most athletic person that I have seen whether at Boise or NAU. He runs the 60-meter hurdles. He is extremely fast. He was an all-conference player this past year. He will be a senior. Joe Logan is a great RB. He is a patient runner. He lets the blocks develop. He had explosive runs for us last year. RB Nate Stinson is fast. He is a 4.2 guy. He is a shorter dude like Sproles. On defense, LB Taylor Powell. He has great instincts and he flows to the ball. He is an aggressive LB. CB Marcel Myers should start next year. He has good size and he is fast. He was a WR before. Last year, he was great on special teams. He works hard and he is very athletic.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced?
Cory Young: Leighton Vander Esch was always a freak of nature. He is tall and is a great athlete. He is a former basketball player. He does some incredible things with his long arms. Tanner Vallejo is a physical LB. Those two dudes are the toughest players.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your teammate WR Emmanuel Butler?
Cory Young: He had a magnet for the ball. He is a great teammate. He inspired everyone around him. He works hard and catches everything. He is a competitor on the field. I knew that he would always be ready on Saturdays. He blocked for me in the run game. He is a freak of nature. He has a lengthy build.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Cory Young: I love being one of the fastest dudes on the field. Making quick cuts and hitting the hole at full speed. I love the game and I want to continue to work on my craft.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Cory Young: I love working on my car. It is my second passion. I am an intelligent guy. I understand engines.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Cory Young: I want to pursue anything that has to do with the car industry. I might open up my own mechanics shop or help my parents with the car dealership. They own a car dealership in CA.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Cory Young: Inspirational, driven, hardworking, intelligent and charismatic.
