Ron Rivera directly compares Chase Young to Julius Peppers
In the leadup to the NFL Draft, with Ohio State's Chase Young seemingly bound to go second-overall, a parallel was drawn between him and another defensive end once drafted that high: Carolina Panthers legend Julius Peppers.
Months before the Draft, reports shared that Young reminded new Redskins head coach Ron Rivera of Peppers, who he coached for the final two years of his career. And speaking during a Thursday appearance on WFNZ in Charlotte, Rivera affirmed that he sees distinct similarities between Young and one of the greatest players he coached in a nine-year tenure with the Panthers.
"I'd love to turn him into a Julius Peppers-type player, to be honest with you. That's who he reminded me of so much," said Rivera. "Getting to know Julius the last few years, and then sitting down with Chase and just listening to him talk, I really thought that these two young men have some similarities. Chase is a little bit younger I think coming into the league than when Julius did, but he's got a tremendous skillset a lot like Julius coming out."
Like any defensive-minded coach who gets to draft arguably the best pass rusher in college football last season, Rivera shared that he is excited to see what Young can be for the Redskins, and commended his personal character. But in addition, Rivera also made note that like Peppers, a Wilson, North Carolina native who played at UNC and then the Panthers, Young is a local product playing close to his Upper Marlboro, Maryland home in the NFL.
"That was the other parallel that I saw," noted Rivera. "And I would like to, at some point, have him reach out to Julius just to see what it was like trying to manage staying pretty much in your backyard."
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https://247sports.com/college/ohio-...5s21zXnQithRZTZ9ocbH5rja6WbhUNTPeuPuctvb_4WSI
Just sayin': Looks like the Redskin's head coach is completely sold on Chase Young. Unlike last year when a different Redskin's head coach didn't appear to be (all that) sold on their 1 round draft pick (i.e. the 15th pick in 2019 draft). Of course that might of had something to do with that guy no longer being the Redskin's head coach.