He played college football for the Boise State Broncos and was selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

[1] Young starred as a two-way wide receiver and defensive back, known as a hard hitting safety at University High School in Los Angeles before going to Boise State in 2007.

On October 11, 2008, Broncos coach Chris Petersen suspended Young for at least three games, again for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Despite his considerable talent, concerns about his behavior (one pre-draft training facility reportedly kicked him out just hours after he showed up due to his poor attitude) led many NFL teams to pass on him in the 2011 draft.

[2][5] After making the 2011 roster, Young was primarily used as the team's 2nd wide receiver, and played frequently in three-WR sets.

On October 30 in a 45–10 defeat of the Denver Broncos, Young caught 4 passes for 66 yards, including his first career receiving touchdown.

This culminated in a Week 13 game against the New Orleans Saints, when he shoved safety Malcolm Jenkins in the face, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

He seemed lost in interviews with head coach Jeff Fisher and other team personnel, and threw a fit when he was briefly barred from boarding a flight to Los Angeles after forgetting his ID.

[14] On May 13, 2013, Young's father, Richard, revealed his son has a severe mental disorder and badly needed help.

[15] According to Sports Illustrated, Young's family briefly checked him into Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA shortly after the Rams released him.

[21] Young was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and felony battery following a January 30, 2016, street fight in Los Angeles.