Update on 2017 Notre Dame WR Commit Michael Young

2017 Destrehan (La.) receiver Michael Young battled a thumb injury over the summer and it leaked into his senior year. However, the 5-foot- 11, 180-pounder played through it and helped lead his squad to a deep playoff run.

“I believe I had a good senior year even though I missed some games with a hand injury,” Young told Irish Sports Daily. “I got to come back and I feel like I helped lead my team to a great season.

“I would say my hand is OK. I am getting real close to getting it healthy and it’s ready for the offseason grind, as I prepare myself for Notre Dame.”

The three-star prospect is keeping busy as the holiday season rolls around, but the real training will start later this winter.  

“Right now, I am not in full training mode, but I am not taking time off,” Young stated. “I am getting some field work in with my fellow receiver with some cone drills and stuff like that. Hitting the weights and cardio, I haven’t got into that too much.”

Don't worry, the Louisiana native will turn his attention to conditioning before he makes the journey to South Bend for his arrival in June. He knows with his talent, there are only a few things keeping him off the field and conditioning is one thing in his control.  

“I think the worst possible thing is to go to Notre Dame for camp completely out of shape,” he explained. “I am running track this year and I think that will help too.

“I am going to also work on the fundamental stuff, as far as receiver goes. I want to work on getting in and out of my routes and my hands. You can never work on those enough.”

Before the dead period kicked into gear last week, Young had a couple visitors stop by his house. Area recruiter Autry Denson and position coach Mike Denbrock made the trip down to check on the Destrehan star.

“It is always great to see those guys,” said Young. “Those are the coaches I will be dealing with the most. Coach Denson is absolutely amazing and a great guy. Whenever I get to meet with him, it’s always a great time. When he came down here, it felt natural. It was great for him to come down here.  

“Coach Denbrock is absolutely great. I love talking football with him and we have the same attitude towards winning. When we get him on the topic, it takes off from there. They are both people I can connect with on a life level.”

While the conversations dealt with football, Young and his family were also able to discuss things outside of the game.  

“I just talked to them and I am kind of nervous and anxious,” Young said of leaving for college. “It’s more of an excitement. It’s exciting, because I am going away from home and being on my own and I will get to see how I handle things. At the same time, it’s a business deal. I am going there to graduate and play football against some of the best schools in the country.

“I talked to them about getting there and adapting well. I talked to them about adjusting and the only thing they tell me is that I am going to be fine. They know I am going to do what I need to do and the rest will play itself out. They want me to come in and work my hardest and give it my all.”

The 2017 commits have also been in contact with Young and that’s also likely to pick up, as Young will have a little bit more time outside of football.

“CJ (Holmes) is a cool guy to be around and Jordan (Pouncey) is too,” Young said. “I don’t get a chance to talk to them as much as I would like to, but I feel now that my season is done, I have some time to get to really know those guys now.

“Isaiah (Robertson) and Brock (Wright) are cool dudes. Markese (Stepp), from the class of 2018, is really cool too. I think we will all gel well.”