GREEN BAY, Wis. – Happy birthday, Cameron Young.
Just two days after turning 25, the defensive tackle signed with the Green Bay Packers. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, he appeared in 16 games with one start as a rookie. However, a knee injury limited him to just one game last season. Over his career, he has recorded 18 tackles and one tackle for loss.
The Seahawks released him prior to this year’s draft.
After being selected, Young described himself by saying, “I like to describe myself as a dog — a physical player who thrives at controlling the line of scrimmage and stopping the run. But I can also mix it up and rush the passer.”
With run-stuffing defensive tackle T.J. Slaton departing in free agency, the Packers are looking to fill that gap. They drafted Georgia’s Warren Brinson in the sixth round and signed his college teammate Nazir Stackhouse as an undrafted free agent, but Young is expected to be a contender for that role.
“This is one of the most stout players in college football this year,” then-Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said after drafting him. “He’s tough, physical, over 300 pounds, and plays like it. He brings a hard-nosed style to the game that we expect to continue.”
Ahead of the 2023 draft, Young measured in at 6-foot-3 3/8 and 304 pounds, with 34 1/2-inch arms. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.10 seconds and earned a Relative Athletic Score of 6.33.
He tore his ACL during his redshirt-freshman season in 2019.
“Physically, it wasn’t difficult because I was prepared for it and knew what to expect,” he told The Daily Journal. “But mentally, it was tough—convincing myself every day that I was still progressing and needed to keep pushing forward.”
In 2022, his senior season, Young started all 13 games, recording 37 tackles, including one sack and three tackles for loss. Over his college career, he totaled two sacks, nine tackles for loss, and five passes defensed.
“He’s a grown man,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said after drafting Young. “His back is almost as wide as [Seahawks defensive line coach Clint] Hurtt’s, and he’s incredibly strong at the point of attack. He plays with natural, God-given strength, and he’s a fierce competitor. We were thrilled to get him.”
Young earned a spot in the Senior Bowl during fall camp in 2022, a testament to his consistency and leadership.
“He’s such a steady presence,” said Mississippi State defensive line coach Jeff Phelps. “He’s like the glue that holds everything together. I joke that he’s the elder of the program. He shows up ready every day, is tough as nails, and genuinely loves football, Mississippi State, and his teammates. He embodies everything you hope for in a young man.”
Young originally pursued basketball, hoping to earn a scholarship in that sport. He was a talented player but often ran into foul trouble. As football scholarship offers started coming in, he shifted his focus to the gridiron.
He began his football career as a tight end before transitioning to the defensive line, where he flourished—racking up 21 sacks over his final two high school seasons.
“I don’t think anything’s more fun than playing on the D-line,” Young said. “Sacking the quarterback is just second to none.”
With the Packers, Young won’t be primarily used as a pass rusher. Instead, they’ll look to his upside as a run stopper to help him compete for a roster spot. While Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and Colby Wooden return from last year, the fifth defensive line spot remains open.
“The measurable stuff is obviously impressive,” Seahawks defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said after a 2023 offseason practice. “He’s a big man with long arms, big hands, and strength—very physical at the point of attack. But beyond that, he has strong football instincts, awareness, and a good feel for the game.”
