He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 1994 NFL draft.

He attended Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois, where he excelled in football.

Young had his finest statistical season in 1996 recording 84 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and two safeties, while earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Young was leading the entire NFL at the DT position in sacks with 9.5 prior to his season-ending injury suffered on a Monday Night match-up against the New York Giants in week 13 of the 1998 season.

Young also received the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award for his fantastic play that same season.

Young retired after the 2007 season, with the distinction of being the last active member of the Super Bowl team.

[4] On January 21, 2010, Young was hired as the defensive line coach at San Jose State University.