Chase Young explains why he's exactly right not to work out at NFL Combine

Vinnie Iyer

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Chase Young explains why he's exactly right not to work out at NFL Combine image

Chase Young isn't looking for a gold medal in the Underwear Olympics, also known as the NFL Combine.

Young, the best overall prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft, is also the best all-around athlete in the class. But in line with how he blossomed into an elite, dominant edge pass rusher at Ohio State, he's all about being the best football player, not showing off as the best freak show.

MORE: NFL Combine 2020 schedule, dates, workout times and records

"Me and my team, we decided that, because the first day of (training) camp when I step on to the field, I want to be the best player I can be," Young told reporters of his decision not to work out for NFL evaluators in Indianapolis on Saturday. "I don't want to waste time being a Combine athlete."

For those expecting Young to run the 40-yard dash during Ohio State's pro day on March 25, they're also out of luck. Young will be doing only position drills related to him playing defensive end or outside linebacker, and not any of the speed or agility drills that parallel the main events of the Combine.

The NFL deciding to take the Combine workouts to prime time hasn't suddenly made more prospects want to jump through obligatory hoops for our offseason entertainment. In an era where draft hopefuls pull themselves out of meaningless season-ending bowl games to protect their futures, in an era of non-stop advanced training, it's only natural to extend that to the Combine.

Young doesn't need to do anything in the pre-draft process to prove to anyone in the NFL what they already know: He's a disruptive force of nature who can change the fortunes of an entire defense.

"I definitely think I'm the best player in the draft," Young said. "I think I showed it on my tape."

And then some. Young has provided plenty more conclusive video evidence, just not at the Combine. He continues to build on his legend with his real workouts with Gibson Performance Training in his home state of Maryland — not far from where he might be playing with the Redskins, who hold the No. 2 overall pick.

The NFL wants guys such as Young to help turn the Combine into a game-like event. Good for him for not obliging.

We'll just settle for watching Young rip up quarterbacks and ball-carriers for many years to come, soon enough.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.