As a freshman in 2002 at the University of Texas, Young returned punts and was the backup for Cedric Benson. The following year, he primarily served as the kick returner and the punt returner. As a junior, Young suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the second game of the season at the University of Arkansas. A medical redshirt was granted for the season by the NCAA. In 2005, Young was the starter for five games, including the national championship game against the University of Southern California, where he rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown, and set the key block on the famous "fourth-and-five" game-winning touchdown. He finished the season with 461 yards and 8 touchdowns. As a redshirt senior in 2006, Young was the starter for 11 of the 12 games, in a season which culminated with a 10-3 record and a win at the 2006 Alamo Bowl. He finished his career at the University of Texas with 3,060 all purpose yards and 29 touchdowns, which includes 1,713 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. In December 2006, Young graduated with a degree in liberal arts.
Professional career
Young was invited to the 2007 NFL Draft combine, but was not selected in the draft. As an undrafted free agent, he signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos on May 1, 2007. After impressive performances in the team's exhibition games, head coachMike Shanahan named Young the #2 running back, behind starter Travis Henry. In Young's first ever start, he notched 120 total yards from scrimmage against the Green Bay Packers, filling in for an injured Henry. Young recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game and first career rushing touchdown on November 11, 2007, in an away game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He rushed for 109 yards on 20 attempts. His touchdown run was a 20-yarder in the third quarter of the game. The Broncos won, 27-11, which was their first victory at Arrowhead Stadium since 2002. His two best games of the 2007 season were against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he rushed for over 100 yards and over 5 yards a carry in both contests. Both games were coincidentally the only 100 yard games he had in the 2007 season. Young finished the 2007 season playing 15 games, with 729 rushing yards on 140 attempts and 1 rushing touchdown. On April 30, 2009, Young was waived by the Broncos.
