Aug 25, 2013
By Jon Cooper
Sting Daily
While back-pedaling is a common coverage technique for defensive backs, it’s something senior cornerback Louis Young isn’t going to do when it comes to shouldering responsibility as a leader during the 2013 season, his final one at Georgia Tech.
Young played through a broken arm that plagued him early last season, finishing strong, starting the Jackets’ final nine games, recording 32 tackles (21 solo), his second career interception and first fumble recovery. Heading into 2013, expectations are high for Young and redshirt senior Jemea Thomas, who mans the other corner, as the duo promises to be one of the most dependable pair of shutdown corners in the ACC.
Sting Daily recently chatted with Young to get his take on a couple of subjects, including the high expectations for he and Thomas from outsiders, and where he stands in the eyes of his teammates in a couple of areas near and dear to him.
Young Significant Facts:
Games Played: 36
Games Started: 21
First Game: 9/4/10 vs. South Carolina State
First Start: 9/1/11 vs. Western Carolina
First Tackle: 9/4/10 vs. South Carolina State (assisted tackle on opening kickoff of third quarter)
First Pass Break-Up: 9/1/11 vs. Western Carolina
Most Pass Break-Ups in a game: 2, 10/22/11, at Miami
First Interception: 11/26/11 vs. Georgia (Aaron Murray, 1st quarter)
First Fumble Forced: 10/29/11 vs. Clemson (D.J. Howard, 1st quarter, Rod Sweeting recovery)
First Fumble Recovery: 10/20/12 vs. Boston College (Andre Williams, opening kickoff of third quarter, forced by Isaiah Johnson)
FIRST DOWN: Is it nice for you and Jemea to be recognized as one of the top cornerback tandems in the ACC?
Louis Young: We’re not really focused on what everybody else is thinking. We’re just trying to do our part in the scheme and provide big plays and plays that are going to get us off the field and get the offense on the field. If we take care of that everything else is going to take care of itself as far as the recognition and all that. We’re just putting in the work each day together and looking at certain stuff to get better each day. This is basically our third year together. Last year there was a lot going on. So I think now, we’ve got more of a solid base to build on, starting from the spring and we’re taking full advantage of it.
SECOND DOWN: How does it feel to be voted Best Dancer for the third straight season by teammates?
YOUNG: (big laugh) You have to be able to dance to play cornerback. I take pride in that. My hips and my footwork and stuff. I keep it up.
THIRD DOWN: Do you feel threatened by anybody to take your title away?
YOUNG: Nah. I think I’ll hold that crown even when I leave.
FOURTH DOWN: You also were voted the team’s third-best dresser behind Isaiah Johnson and Charles Perkins. What do you have to do to pass them?
YOUNG: I should be No. 1! I should be No. 1 as far as best dressed! I take my pride in my attire. I’m just going to take it in stride. Day by day.
