In the state of Utah it is rare to see the colors of red and blue sharing spaces when it comes to college football de'cor.
A neighbor's fence in Midvale that is adorned in red for the University of Utah, however, there is a small portion also showing support for Cougar offensive lineman Scott Young. Young worked his name onto the fence by helping out his neighbor anyway he could while he was growing up.
His mother said he is always one to help friends or family members out.
Family Matters
"Scott is an incredibly loyal person," his mother said. "If he says he will help you out, he will be there for you."
Young has spent the last two years digging out a hill in his parents' backyard to give his mom a patio. Of course, he has always been one to help his parents and has always kept his family important in his life.
While playing football at Dixie State College before transferring to BYU in 2002, he would drive up every weekend to visit his parents. It was especially important to Scott because both his parents have battled cancer throughout their lives.
"My parents have been a huge strength to me," he said. "They are the strongest people I know and I've been able to become stronger by watching them go through challenges."
Young has seen many qualities in his parents that have trickled down to his play on the field.
"My dad is the hardest worker I know," Young said.
His own example of hard work can be seen on the field. He also said he admired his mother's strength in enduring the trials she has faced in her life. Scott's heart has grown in toughness after watching his parents' struggles, although it is his physique that may show the greatest strength.
Listed at six-foot-five and 312 pounds, Young is quite the intimidating person. In one instance, he nearly put that intimidating appearance to good use when his older sister was having relationship problems with a boyfriend.
"I was really close to going over to his house with some other members of the football team to have a little 'talk', but things worked out." Young said.
Nature Boy
Things didn't quite work out the way Young thought they would go when it came to his athletic career. He said he always thought he would have been more successful in baseball when he was younger. Young also competed in swimming and community soccer.
When Young wasn't on the field or in the pool, he would enjoy his free time fishing and hunting. He would tie his own flies and search out brook trout, his favorite variety to fish. His fishing trips have taken him as far away as Alaska in search of salmon and halibut He's even caught a few smaller sharks. In junior high his focus turned to football, but he continues his love of fishing and hunting.
"In the beginning my parents weren't too happy about me going into football," Young said.
But, after some talking with his mother, she signed the paper and Scott began playing in 9th grade.
"Scott is very successful in everything that he does," his mother said. "If he puts his mind to something he is going to be the best he can be at whatever he is doing."
Young played for Hillcrest High School in Midvale, Utah on both the offensive and defensive line. Although the defensive line may have been his favorite, he was first looked at as an offensive lineman. However, Dixie State College in St. George, Utah would be the school that recruited him to play defensive line.
A Tale of Two Lines
"I thought he was one of the best offensive linemen in the state when we recruited him," Dixie State head football coach Greg Croshaw said. "But, he really wanted to play defensive line, and he did a great job for us."
Croshaw said Young helped the Rebels win a bowl game on a single play when he stuffed the entire line into the backfield to stop the ball carrier. He also said Young was tireless in the weight room and his strength was such that no one could handle him.
"Scott really was great." Croshaw said. "I would take any of those kind of players that I could."
Young played defensive end for the Rebels for two years. While there, he was a two-year starter and led the Rebels with 15.5 sacks as a sophomore. He also garnered both NJCAA and JC Grid wire First-Team All-America honors. As part of his sophomore campaign, he helped lead Dixie to an 11-1 record, including a 40-14 win over Rochester CC in the Rotary Bowl.
Young's sophomore season may not have happened in St. George after being heavily recruited by former BYU offensive coordinator Norm Chow and USC after his freshman season. Despite the attention, Young stayed at Dixie.
"That was a tough decision for me," Young said. "I really thought a lot about it, but in the end I stayed with Dixie."
Part of his decision may have resided with his loyalty and care for his family. At the time USC came knocking Young's parents were both battling cancer, his decision still came to Croshaw with a bit of surprise.
"That was the first time that one of my players ever chose Dixie over USC," Croshaw laughed.
Upon his return to the Rebels, Young drew the attention of several other schools. Almost every school from South Carolina to California was sending him information, but in the end he found himself in Provo.
"It has always been a dream of mine to play 'church ball' I guess you could call it," Young said. "BYU has always had a good team and will continue to have a good team, and I just wanted to be a part of that."
He began on the defensive line, but after having talked things over with his coaches, family and teammates, he made the switch to offensive line.
"I'll always love playing defense," he said. "But, I think my experience playing on the D-line has made me more effective on the offensive line. It is just a struggle and a battle every time the ball is snapped."
Weighty Matters
For Young, the struggle begins in the weight room where he has established the reputation of being the strongest member on the team. All weight combined, he has lifted over 1600 pounds in bench (535 lbs.), clean (378 lbs.) and squats (700 lbs.). It is evident that his 312-pound frame is more than just bulky fat.
"I'm really not the biggest eater," he said. "I don't eat that many sweets, it sounds pretty sad, but my favorite treat may be a protein shake or meal replacement."
Young said he was amazed at some the guys on the team when they sit down to eat.
"In the same amount of time it took me to eat a value sized hamburger meal from the Cougar Eat," Young recounted, "Vince (Feula, a defensive tackle) had finished the same meal along with several taco's."
Young's teenage years were filled with food from Hunan Express, where he worked for several years. He still counts the restaurant and Chinese food on the top of his 'foods I would most like to eat' list.
"He's a good cook, when you can pin him down," his mother said. "He really used to enjoy spaghetti when he was younger."
Good Ol' Days
Even when he was young the offensive linemen began to reach for success. In elementary school he had the goal to win the decathlon of his school. When he puts his mind to something, he's going to do it, his mother said. Young eventually captured the decathlon title.
Young also excelled in the scouting program. By the time he was 13-years-old, he had accumulated over 60 merit badges. Although he may have already earned it, he had to wait until he was 14 to be officially awarded his Eagle Scout badge. As a means of thanking his scout leader, Young supplied him with season passes for every home game this season.
Along with his scout leader, his parents join the crowds at LaVell Edwards Stadium each home game of the season.
"It has always been important to me to support my children in whatever they do," his mother said.