Former Tennessee football star Byron Young is using his NFL platform to give back to the community.
Young, a current member of the Los Angeles Rams, held a back-to-school drive for Pleasant Hill Elementary School in South Carolina on July 19, according to Arye Pulli. Young partnered with Dollar General to give away 300 backpacks and award the school $50,000 as a part of their Literacy Initiatives program.
Dollar General has worked with Young due to the inspirational story that led him to the NFL. Out of high school, Young worked at a Dollar General before walking on at Georgia Military College. He then transferred to Tennessee to play two years before going pro.
Young is from Georgetown, South Carolina, making his choice of elementary school an opportunity to give back to his home state.
Rams pass rusher @Byron_97 tells me that he did a back-to-school drive yesterday, giving away 300 backpacks at Pleasant Hill elementary school in South Carolina.
Dollar General partnered with Young and awarded the school $50,000 as part of their Literacy Initiatives program. pic.twitter.com/4Addubg1Ic
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) July 20, 2025
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Young played two seasons at Tennessee, both under Josh Heupel. In 2021, he played in 11 games while starting in eight. He racked up 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, which both tied for the team high.
In the following 2022 season, Young took over. He started in all 13 games while leading the Vols with seven sacks. He also produced 12 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hurries.
Young would be selected with the No. 77 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Rams. As a rookie, he earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie First Team. He followed this up with an effective second season, as well.
In his NFL career, Young has totaled 123 tackles, 15.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
