Football Senior Feature -- Cliff Young
8/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2003
Columbia, Mo. - By Kyle Parrish, Mizzou Athletic Media Relations
The season opening rivalry between Missouri and Illinois bears weight for thousands of fans, alumni, players, and coaches both Tiger and Illini alike. Few, however, feel the importance of the game like Missouri guard and St. Louis native Cliff Young.
"Of course every game is a big deal," says the six-foot-two, 300-pound senior. "But coming to my hometown is huge. No one wants to lose in front of his home fans."
Young hasn't lost much in the Gateway City. In high school, he helped lead his Riverview Gardens teams to back-to-back state football championships from both sides of the ball. He was an All-State selection on the defensive line and an All-St. Louis Metro selection on the offensive line, where he now plays at MU. Last year, the Tigers notched yet another hometown victory for Young as they beat the Illini 33-20.
This season, Young hopes his winning ways will traverse beyond just St. Louis and help lead the Tigers to another trip down I-70 in December, this time to the Dr. Pepper Big XII Championship Game in Kansas City.
He'll have his work cut out for him, though. In Coach Gary Pinkel's system, where starting positions are opened up for the taking on a weekly basis, Young's competition is the stiffest on the team. Fellow guards Tony Palmer, Mike Cook, and St. Louisan Joe Gianino all expect to crack the starting lineup during the 2003 season. Last season, Young started nine of the 12 games.
"It's pretty intense," Young says. "The other guys are just as big and just as strong. On this team the next guy can always step-up, so you really have to stay on your P's and Q's."
When it comes to the "P's and Q's" of the Tiger offensive line, perhaps no man is as expert as Cliff Young. He considers himself "the technician" of the line, concentrating on technique and assignment as much as power and stamina.
Says Young, "I like to blow guys off the ball, but I think you have to have technique, footwork, and smarts to do that. I'm not always going to be the biggest guy out there, but I fell like I can always win the battle if I have leverage."
Young's concentration on technique developed for several reasons. First, Young has played every position on the line except center. He takes pride in knowing all his teammates' assignments as well as his own.
Another reason for Young's technique came out of necessity. As a young player in the Mizzou program, Young faced former Tiger and current Cincinnati Bengal defensive end Justin Smith in practices. The match-up between the All-American Smith and the Freshman Young, then nicknamed "The Po' One" by one teammate, forced the younger to adapt quickly.
"Every now and then you come across a player that strong and fast," says Young. "He really made me step up my game and I'm a better player for it."
One other Missouri legend helped develop the "technician" Young into what he is today. All-American Tiger tackle John Clay coached Young at Riverview Gardens.
"John Clay showed me football wits," Young says. "He taught me the game and I owe a lot to him."
Now a senior, Young focuses on what he can teach his younger teammates. Since he knows every position, he is quick to help others with their assignments, even if it means jumping in for repetitions with the freshman fourth stringers during practice.
"Those younger guys are going to have to step into our shoes at some point and I want to be there to help them and show them how to win." Young says.
It turns out that there aren't many people for whom Young won't give a little advice or encouragement when it comes to football. Even his Illini opponent, wide receiver Jamal Clark, with whom Cliff played at Riverview Gardens, gets a boost from the big Mizzou lineman.
"Jamal lives about two blocks from my house in St. Louis," says Young. "I always encourage him to do well. But he knows when they play us, it's going to be tough."
As both a technician and a motivator, Cliff Young might just make his living someday. While he hopes to be noticed by some NFL scouts and fulfill the dream of playing on the professional level, the general studies major also hopes to coach someday.
"I'd love to coach at a Division One school," Young says. "If not that, I'd want to go back and coach high school in St. Louis - to show guys that you can still do well and make it without the NFL."
There is little doubt that Cliff Young will "make it" wherever he goes. His versatility, hard work, and attention to detail will pay off in any line of work - especially the offensive line. And whether it's hanging out with teammates around the Sony Playstation, or grinding it out in the weight room for summer workouts, Young appreciates all the aspects of team play.
So don't be surprised if today isn't the last game for Cliff Young in front of a St. Louis crowd. After all, there are always the Rams - both of the NFL and Riverview Gardens High School to work for someday.
