Byron Young 'so thankful' for Los Angeles Rams picking him in third round of the NFL Draft

Everything former Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young said during his introductory press conference with the Los Angeles media, after the Los Angeles Rams took him with the 77th overall pick in the NFL Draft, calling his name midway through the third round:

How the call went with the Los Angeles Rams on draft night

“I got a call and it was just a dream come true. I knew what it was and who it was. I broke down crying, just hugged my mom and dad. So thankful. Emotional.”

If he had conversations with the Rams during the pre-draft process

“Yeah, it was right before. I had a Zoom (call) with the outside linebackers coach. It was a great Zoom. I feel like we had a great conversation.”

Reflecting on his journey to becoming an NFL Draft pick

“Honestly, it still just feels kind of new. I’m trying to — everything is just going fast right now. All my family around. Just so thankful.”

The reaction from his family when his name was called on the draft broadcast

“Everybody started yelling. At first there was some miscommunication because the first Byron Young got drafted to the Raiders and everybody started yelling. But it wasn’t me. So the reaction, they were trying to make sure it was the right one. It was great. Great energy.”

What he thinks it will be like to play alongside Aaron Donald

“Amazing, man. I found out who I was playing with, that’s one of the goats, man. I can’t wait to start training.”

The people he leaned on during the draft process and his path to get to this point

“Matthew Butler. Alontae Taylor. Guys like that, that are already in the league. Definitely those guys I played with before last year. Vets like that. Just giving me advice and the journey, what to expect and just to be patient with my turn.”

The pride and confidence he has in himself and where it comes from

“Honestly, the way I was raised. My parents (telling me) to be confident in everything I do. But definitely along the way in college, my coaches, Rodney Garner, he taught me how to be confident in everything I do, go into it and do my best. Definitely give props to him.”

His skill set as a pass-rusher, the tools and techniques he’s eager to keep developing after getting drafted

“I feel like, honestly, I’m a very relentless pass rusher. Really fast get-off. Explosive. I feel like that’s one of the traits I bring to the table. Just my power. Speed and power. Some moves I can’t wait to use — ghost, long arm, spin move. Those are some of my favorite moves. So I can’t wait to try that at the next level and use them.”

If he models his ghost move after anyone

“Von Miller.”

What it was like waiting to hear his name called in the draft and what it feels like to be playing in Los Angeles

“Honestly, just waiting, it was really hard. A lot of stuff going through my mind. Just talking to teams and getting the feel for other teams. Thinking they were going to get me based off what they said, then them passing up on me and getting other guys, it was pretty hard. I didn’t take a visit with the Rams. The team I took a visit with took other guys. I was just kind of sitting there praying, hoping for my chance to come around. I just remember my conversation with the Rams and them telling me how they felt about me. I felt like the vibe was great and clearly it was. I can’t wait to move (to Los Angeles). It’s a new city, a new environment. I love exploring new places. Definitely making that my home.”

What has kept him going through his football career

“I would say my attitude. The way I was raised. I was always raised to be humble and don’t quit in anything I’m doing. The life I’ve lived and everything I’ve been through, working a regular job and staying out of college, being an older guy, it really pushed me and showed me a lot. It showed me the things I can get through. I’ve been through hard moments. Things like this, I just love. This is a game I love. I never want to stop playing. I love it.”

The Zoom call with Rams outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio

“Honestly he was just talking about my ability to play the run. A lot of coaches want to talk about that. He was just talking about he liked how I powerful I am, that I can shed blocks. Also talking about my speed and my get-off. How much value I can be to them, to this team. It was just really exciting hearing talk about me in that way. Other coaches weren’t really real with me like that. It was great to speak with him and can’t wait to work with him.”

How he envisions himself working on the field next to Aaron Donald

“Honestly, I want to be a sponge and soak everything in. Everything he has, his knowledge and anything he could teach me, whether I could use it or not, I feel like I could still use it in the long run if not in that moment. Definitely can’t wait for that opportunity to meet him and play with him.”