He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft with the 22nd overall pick.
In 1972, when Lou Holtz arrived as the new head coach at North Carolina State University, he implemented split-back veer offense to take advantage of the talent at running back, that included Young, Burden, Stan Fritts and Roland Hooks.
[1] At the time, this was arguably the best group of running backs in the nation, they were known as "The Four Stallions" and everyone of them went on to play in a professional football league.
In 1976, he earned the starting halfback job during the pre-season, but after registering a total of 57 rushing yards in the first 2 games, he gave way in the lineup to Dennison.
Young suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the 1977 training camp and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 11.