Pro Day Q&A: Byron Young reflects on the huge numbers he posted at the NFL Combine

What former Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young said while meeting with reporters after the Vols held Pro Day on Thursday in Knoxville, discussing his roots from working at Dollar General to going to junior college to preparing for the NFL Draft, after putting up huge numbers at the Scouting Combine:

If there are certain types of NFL teams that are interested in him

“Oh yeah. More teams that run probably a three-man front. Probably see me playing for them, or the others, maybe. But all the teams are showing great interest. Just hearing from those guys, it really means a lot.”

Where he came from and if he ever envisioned being at this point, preparing for the NFL Draft

“It’s funny you say that. I just went back home and went to my old jobs and my old junior college. Just, you know, appreciating everyone that helped me along the way, the coaches. So I went back there, spent time with the coaches and the kids, telling them my story. And telling them it felt like you’re not going anywhere, but that’s just how it’s going to be. No one is watching, just keep your head down and keep grinding. Just going back to Dollar General and talking to them. Going back to my old jobs. It really means a lot and I’m so grateful. I’m never going to forget where I came from. I’m a humble guy. So it’s amazing.”

If running a 4.43 in the 40 at the NFL Combine surprised him

“It didn’t surprise me. A lot of people were surprised. I was surprised when I first ran it at training. I was doing it for weeks, running and training since January. So I wasn’t surprised when I ran it in March. I knew I just had to put on a show. Running under those conditions, on camera and knowing everyone is watching, it’s kind of hard at the same time. I’m thankful I got it done and not let the stage be too big for me.”

His reaction in January when he first started running good times in the 40

“When I first started, the guy who was training me was like just amazed by it. Honestly, I wanted to run fast, I wanted to keep on getting better. So when I first seen it, I was thankful but I knew I wanted to finish it. I knew I could do better. So that’s what I did. That was my personal best, what I ran at the Combine. So I definitely improved what I did from Day 1. I was definitely happy with that.”

Up Next: NFL Draft, April 27-29, Kansas City

Putting up impressive numbers at the Combine in more than just the 40, how much effort he put into training for all the events

“I put in a lot, man. We were working out about three times a day, Monday through Saturday. Saturday was two times a day. But you know, definitely putting in the work and the time and the effort. Changing my diet, changing the way I eat, changing the way I sleep, waking up early. So really being dedicated and committed to something I really want. So when it happened, I wasn’t really surprised, I was just thankful I kept on going and didn’t give up.”

If he was trash talking with Jalin Hyatt after comparing 40 times

“Oh definitely not. I actually didn’t see him after that. But that’s a fast time regardless. It doesn’t matter who ran it. It’s just the fact that I’m thankful I competed with my teammates. And to see him run fast, see him and (Cedric) Tillman run fast and Darnell (Wright), JB (Jeremy Banks), it’s a blessing to be around that group of guys and watch them put on a show with you. I was just happy to be there with them.”