Missouri defensive end Zion Young walked into SEC Media Days not just as a rising star but as the embodiment of grit, pride, and the resilient underdog spirit that has come to define Missouri football in recent seasons. While many players take the podium to speak on team dynamics, goals, and rivalries, Young had something more compelling in his back pocket—a performance against Oklahoma that Missouri fans will remember for years. It was not just a breakout moment on the field but a defining one in the trajectory of his career and in the larger story of Missouri’s ascension in the SEC hierarchy.
The matchup between Missouri and Oklahoma had been billed as a game of opportunity. With Oklahoma preparing for its transition into the Southeastern Conference, Missouri saw the contest as a proving ground—a way to measure themselves against a historically dominant program on the cusp of becoming a direct SEC rival. What few anticipated was just how much one player, Zion Young, would come to define the narrative of that game.
As Young sat under the bright lights of SEC Media Days, he was poised, calm, and reflective. He wasn’t boastful; his tone was grounded and respectful, a trait that speaks volumes about the kind of leader he has grown into. Yet when he spoke about the Oklahoma game, there was a fire in his eyes—a clear recollection of what that game meant, not only to him but to the entire Missouri program.
It was late in the third quarter when the Missouri Tigers found themselves on their heels. The Sooners, operating with their trademark uptempo offense, were threatening to extend a precarious four-point lead. Missouri’s defense had been solid, but the momentum was leaning Oklahoma’s way, and the home crowd could feel the tension mounting. Then came the moment.
On a second-and-seven from the Missouri 42-yard line, Oklahoma’s quarterback dropped back for what looked like a quick slant route. Zion Young, initially engaged with a pulling guard, used a lightning-quick swim move to disengage and collapse the pocket. In the blink of an eye, he closed the gap and delivered a punishing strip sack that jarred the ball loose. It bounced once, then again, before Young’s teammate scooped it up and ran it back inside the Oklahoma red zone. That play turned the tide.
Missouri scored just a few plays later to take the lead, and the defense never let go of the momentum again. That sack was more than a stat on a sheet—it was a seismic shift in a game that could have gone either way. For Young, it was a culmination of everything he had worked for: late-night workouts, mental preparation, and a belief that he belonged on the biggest stage. It was heroics born out of relentless preparation.
At SEC Media Days, Young was asked about that play repeatedly. Each time, he deflected individual praise and pointed back to the team. He credited the secondary for holding tight coverage, his fellow linemen for maintaining gap integrity, and the coaching staff for trusting him in a pivotal moment. “That wasn’t just my play,” he said. “That was a Missouri play. That was all eleven guys doing their job, and I just happened to be the one who made the hit.”
But for all his humility, those who watched the game saw a player rise into stardom. Recruited with promise but not excessive fanfare, Young’s development has been organic—built on fundamentals, film study, and a relentless motor that keeps offensive linemen honest on every snap. His performance against Oklahoma wasn’t a fluke; it was the visible tip of an iceberg that had been forming under the surface for months.
Young’s path to Missouri was not without its obstacles. Hailing from Georgia and initially committing to another program, his decision to transfer to Missouri came with plenty of questions. Why Missouri? Why the SEC? Why the Tigers, who were still struggling to be viewed as a consistent threat within the conference? But those questions began to answer themselves as soon as Young put on the uniform. His fit in Missouri’s defensive scheme was immediate. With his length, power, and lateral quickness, he became a nightmare off the edge. What’s more, he quickly established himself as a locker room leader.
As he shared his thoughts during SEC Media Days, Young spoke openly about how the Oklahoma game was about more than just football—it was about respect. He recalled walking off the field and seeing the Missouri fans waving black and gold flags, chanting, and hugging each other in the stands. “They’ve had our back through everything,” he said. “When we beat Oklahoma, it felt like we gave something back to them. Something real. Something they could be proud of.”
The respect Missouri earned from that game echoed beyond Columbia. SEC analysts began to take notice. Young’s name found its way into All-SEC watchlists, and draft experts began penciling him in as a potential Day 2 NFL pick. But for Young, the fame isn’t the fuel. He made that clear at Media Days. “The goal isn’t one great game. The goal is consistency. I don’t want to be known for one play. I want to be known as someone who showed up every week and gave everything for this team.”
His coach, Eli Drinkwitz, echoed those sentiments. During his own media availability, Drinkwitz praised Young’s work ethic and maturity, calling him “the heart of our defense.” He noted that the Oklahoma game was a breakthrough, but not a surprise. “Zion plays like that in practice. He goes 100 every rep. That’s who he is. That play? That was just Zion being Zion.”
While much of the focus remains on Missouri’s season outlook and their upcoming schedule, Young’s role has clearly expanded. He’s not just a defensive end anymore; he’s a tone-setter, a leader, and, in many ways, a symbol of Missouri’s ambitions. As the SEC welcomes new blood and as power dynamics continue to shift, the Tigers are carving out their space not with flashy recruiting or historic dominance, but with culture, toughness, and guys like Zion Young who do the dirty work.
It’s also worth noting how that performance against Oklahoma impacted Young on a personal level. He talked about the emotional weight of calling his family after the game. His father, a former high school coach, had always pushed him to stay humble and stay hungry. “He told me he was proud of me, but not to let it be the peak. He said that game was just a preview of who I can be.”
And Zion has taken that to heart. Heading into the new season, his focus is sharper than ever. He’s watching more film, refining his pass rush techniques, and working closely with strength coaches to add more functional muscle without sacrificing agility. He’s taken on a mentorship role for younger players, showing them how to break down offenses and how to approach game week preparation with precision. He knows eyes are on him now—and he embraces that responsibility.
At SEC Media Days, when asked about his personal goals for the season, Young didn’t offer numbers. No sack totals, no awards, no predictions. Instead, he simply said, “I want to help this team win. However that looks, whatever that takes, that’s my goal.” It was a refreshing response in a media world often obsessed with individual accolades. But that’s the Young way—let your game do the talking, let your effort be the story.
The Oklahoma game will live in Missouri lore, but Zion Young isn’t dwelling on it. He’s moving forward, driven by a deeper desire to prove that Missouri’s defense—and he in particular—is no fluke. There will be bigger games ahead, tougher offenses, and brighter spotlights. But Young welcomes all of it. Because once you’ve made a name for yourself in the SEC, the only way to stay there is to keep delivering.
Missouri football is riding a wave of belief, and Zion Young is one of its most powerful engines. He may have made his mark with one unforgettable play against Oklahoma, but he’s far from done. In his own words, that moment was just the beginning. And if SEC Media Days were any indication, the best is yet to come.
