Ten minutes with Showcase MVP – Chase Young

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next couple of weeks, I will be talking to as many of the Spring Showcase MVPs as possible to find out about their experience at the Showcase and how their offseason is shaping up. First up - quarterback MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1246747' first='Chase' last='Young'] from St. Thomas Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young's path to becoming the Cadets' starting quarterback took a different path than most quarterbacks. He didn't even play the position last fall, but that didn't stop him from making an impression at the Minnesota Spring Showcase last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"This was the first camp I had done this year," Young said. "It was helpful to see where I stacked up against some of the senior class in Minnesota. I saw a lot of kids that I played against or am going to play against. I was happy with my performance and had a great time. I didn't know what to expect going into it. I had not done a Prepredzone camp like this before."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young had specific things he wanted to accomplish while at the Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It is always nice to get some numbers down," Young explained. "I have been trying to gain some weight and some strength. I was not sure how I was going to test. I was happy with my numbers and am looking to keep improving those numbers. I also wanted to see how the ball was coming out of my hand and getting some more reps."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The soon-to-be senior doesn't think his physical skill was the only thing that made him stand out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I came into Saturday with a positive attitude and a lot of confidence. I think the coaches I worked with picked up on that. Even though the guys weren't my high school teammates, I wanted to see them succeed. I was vocal, congratulating the guys around me and getting to know where they were from. I am assuming whoever was evaluating took that into account as well. I was being vocal, reaching out to the guys, and being a leader on top of being confident in my abilities. I was ready to gun-sling, whip (the ball) around, and not hold anything back."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young didn't get to do a lot of gun-slinging while helping his team to the Prep Bowl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Last season, I played tight end. I was one of two quarterbacks on the team, and there was a need for someone to fill that tight end spot, which is a critical spot in our offense. I was asked if I would play tight end. It was great. I lost a lot of quarterback reps because of that. I don't think I have any particular weakness that I am working on. I am just working to improve every aspect of my game."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young feels his time at tight end will only help his quarterback play next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I think my strengths are my unique perspective for the quarterback position and my leadership capabilities. I have been a three-sport athlete my entire life. At St. Thomas Academy, we also have a military leadership structure. I have been recognized for my leadership skills for most of my life and take pride in that. Also, I don't think many quarterbacks have ever played with their hand in the dirt. I have been on the throwing side of the play, the blocking side, and the receiving side. I have seen everything in an offense. I know the scheme better, can read defenses from different positions, and understand situations differently."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young is a three-sport athlete. He ran middle distance in track last season but has switched to throwing events this year to prepare for football. He also played a big role on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I was the sixth man and played a power forward or center position. I was smaller, but what I brought to the team was tenacity, physical play, rebounding, set hard screens, and playing good interior defense."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defenses will have to play well this fall to have any chance of hanging with the always tough Cadet team and their 'hand in the ground' quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Showcase numbers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>40-yard dash - 5.06</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shuttle - 4.57</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broad jump 8'8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>L-drill 7.31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->