The Boise State tryout running back is still adjusting to the NFL, but is relying on his instincts to help ease him as he fights for a spot on the Redskins' roster.
As the 2016 regular season comes into focus, coaches know that difficult decisions will eventually be made. They include cutting talented football players, which usually, in these unfortunate circumstances, involve undrafted rookies and tryout players.
Check out images from the Washington Redskins' offense during their fourth day of OTAs at Redskins Park in Loudoun County, Va.
Former Boise State running back Kelsey Young, one of those tryout players, is hoping to buck that trend since being asked by the Redskins to try out for the team shortly after the NFL Draft.
Young played three years at Stanford and then transferred to Boise State for his redshirt senior season. During his time in college, Young ran 195 times, racking up 1,112 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns. The running back also caught 24 balls out of the backfield, accumulating 207 yards.
After the Redskins' second OTA practice last week, every player started to weave their way through the media to either get to the locker room, or to sign autographs for fans.
However, one player was still on the practice field, running routes, catching the football and turning up field, taking multiple reps lasting a good 15 minutes after practice had ended. Young just happened to be that player working on his craft.
When asked about his extra work, Young relayed that he was "trying to improve on everything."
"I am improving on knowing the playbook, knowing the routes and everything," Young said. "It's a complex system, but it's very similar to the stuff I did in college. It's a matter of just learning the different terminology, but mostly it's going through the motions because I am so used to it."
Like every inexperienced rookie, Young was overwhelmed at first by the speed at the professional level, namely because "things switch so quickly." Rookie peer Robert Kelley of Tulane agrees with Young after Kelley got his first taste of OTAs as well. Shortly after practice, Kelley stated, "speed's a lot faster. You have to get your pre-snap reads in a lot faster."
Although it is a challenge, Young still sees it as football, a game he's very familiar with.
"It's definitely a different beast, but it is still fun," Young said. "It's great to go out there and compete, you know, put my talents on the line and find out what I am good at and find out what I need to work on."
Ultimately, Young is a guy who is putting in extra work to improve his game in hopes of making a roster in the NFL. Young believes this is where he belongs.
"Overall, it is just a blessing to be here," he said.
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