A former Michigan State football player is in hot water this weekend after being arrested over the weekend.
Zion Young, a former Michigan State defensive end from the Mel Tucker era, was reportedly arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a DWI (driving while intoxicated) and speeding.
Young has reportedly been released and Missouri is aware of the arrest. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz said that he holds his student-athletes to the highest standard and they’re evaluating the situation and next steps. This can’t be good for his draft stock nor his status for Missouri’s upcoming matchup with Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27 as well as the Panini Senior Bowl invite that he accepted.
Spartan fans remember him for an infamous off-field incident at Michigan where he was involved in the tunnel altercation after the 2022 game where he was seen taking swings at a Wolverine player. He accepted a plea deal for a misdemeanor aggravated assault charge.
Still, Michigan State fans wanted him to remain in East Lansing because he had a bright future and everyone makes mistakes, especially in emotionally-charged situations.
Instead, he transferred to Missouri.
Zion Young’s NFL draft stock may take a hit
Young has been an impressive defensive end for a few years now. In his two seasons at Michigan State, he combined for 47 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He was a budding star, and everyone saw him becoming the next great defensive end to come through the program.
The Georgia native decided to return for another season in 2023, but he watched as the coach who recruited him got fired for off-the-field issues, and he stuck it out for the whole year before deciding to hit the transfer portal after Jonathan Smith was hired to replace Tucker.
Since then, he’s been a menace in the SEC.
In 2024, he had 42 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 13 games. He actually improved on all of those numbers during his final collegiate season with Missouri in 2025, totaling 38 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, earning first-team All-SEC honors at defensive end.
Now, he may have to do a lot of damage control with his draft stock after a second off-the-field incident in his college career. The first one can be forgiven, but as a senior leader, getting arrested under suspicion of DWI is a bad look, especially with a bowl game approaching in two weeks. That just can’t happen.
Young will find a home in the NFL, but he may not be selected as early as he would’ve hoped, unless he has an incredible draft process (interviews included).