Season in Review: Perry Young

The Numbers

• 45 tackles
• 2.5 tackles for loss
• 0.5 sacks
• 1 fumble recovery

Imagine if the Cincinnati Bearcats had been even better on defense last season. It is a difficult task to be sure. They led the American Athletic Conference in total defense after all. However, they weren’t always playing at full strength and that’s because Perry Young didn’t play the entire season. However, despite missing five games, he still performed at an all-conference level.

All those missed games may not have hurt his standing among the conference but it certainly dampened his numbers. After he racked up 101 total tackles and nine for loss in 2017, he had only 45 total tackles in 2018, including just 2.5 for loss. In fact, he had more solo tackles in 2017 (56) than his entire output from last season. Again, the slip in volume did not coincide with a drop in quality, but Young just didn’t have as many chances to impress as he had in the previous season.

The Best of the Best

Sept. 8 at Miami-Ohio

In the second game of the season, Young helped lead the Bearcats’ defense in a win over the rival RedHawks. He finished with six total tackles, including one for loss.

Sept. 29 at UConn

Maybe Young really likes road games? He had eight stops in this one.

Oct. 6 vs. Tulane

Young showed out for the home crowd with nine tackles, including half a sack.

Oct. 20 at Temple

Young matched his season-high with nine stops as well as a half tackle for loss and a pass defended.

For Next Year

Health can’t be guaranteed but that’s all that Young needs to be right back to dominating. He didn’t skip a beat when he was playing so if he can recover from his injuries, the Bearcats should expect another 100-tackle season and more from him.