Landon Young with quarterback Terry Wilson. (SEC Photo)
Before he left for Arizona to start full-time training for his future NFL career, Kentucky offensive lineman Landon Young made sure to let everyone know how much he enjoyed his five years at Kentucky.
“I want to thank @UKFootball, @UKCoachStoops, staff and BBN for everything this program has done for me over the last 5 years. Most of all I want to thank God for the many countless blessings. I hope to continue representing this state and program at the next level!” Young posted on Twitter.
The former Lafayette High School standout became an all-Southeastern Conference performer and team leader for the Wildcats. He thought about leaving for the NFL after the 2019 season but opted to return to Kentucky for his fifth year without any idea how COVID-19 would disrupt everything about the season.
Yet Young said the part he will remember best about the 2020 season is just how unique it was.
“Being able to finally do what everyone always talks about, having a 10-game SEC season schedule going against the best of the best, I’ll be able to remember that,” Young said. “But not just that, being able to get back up and respond to everything that’s happened.”
He’ll also obviously remember the passing of offensive line coach John Schlarman in November, a man he developed a lasting friendship with and admiration for while he was still in high school.
“Of course, one of the most dearly beloved men in my life passed away this year. I know that’s a lot of the guys on the team period. But he always said it’s 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you react to it,” Young said.
“So being able to see this team go through these struggles with (linebacker) Chris Oats (not being able to play all season due to an offseason medical issue), with coach Schlarman, with COVID in general and be able to get back up, go out, put our hard hat on, and go win football games, that’s really going to be the number one thing that I remember.”
