Shawn Springs sees Chase Young as a Hall of Fame-type talent originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Through two games in his NFL career, Chase Young has recorded 2.5 sacks -- good enough for the league lead -- and consistently made an impact for Washington's defense.
Some will begin to joke about preparing the bust in Canton, Ohio now, but former Washington defensive back Shawn Springs means it.
“He is the real deal. I’m not short for words, I told someone he’s a Hall of Famer," Springs said on the Team980's The Kevin Sheehan Show. "There are very few guys that come into the league that you see that’s a Hall-of-Fame-type talent.”
While it may seem a little out there to declare a player one of the best of all-time just two weeks into his professional career, Springs may have an eye for this type of talent.
The 13-year veteran noted that it's very rare to see a player and know they will be in the Hall of Fame right away, but it has happened to him before.
"I can think about three off the top of my head the first time I seen them. Orlando Pace was one of them, Ray Lewis was one of them, this guy Sean Taylor was one of them," Springs said.
Pace and Lewis are both members of the Hall of Fame, and Sean Taylor was well on his way before his life was tragically cut short in 2007. That puts Young in some talented company and Springs expects success to follow.
"Chase Young is that type of guy where he is going to just be dominant for somewhere between 10-15 years," Springs said.
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Maybe Springs does have a knack for predicting the future, but he's also been able to see Young thrive at each level to the prior NFL, so his reasons are based on more than just a feeling.
A Maryland native and Ohio State alum, Springs has followed Young through his time at DeMatha High School and as a Buckeye. At both stages, he's seen the defensive end have his way with opposing offenses and continue to grow as a player.
Now entering the professional level, Springs not only believes that Young has a rare combination of size, speed and strength, but a complete toolbox of pass-rush skills that will give offensive lineman headaches.
Throughout his football career, Young has always found a way to make an impact and takeover games. The competition will now be more challenging than ever before, but Springs doesn't think that will change how he performs going forward. No one is going to stop him.
“The kid is just a phenomenal athlete. You’ve seen it from DeMatha high school where he dominated, to Ohio State where dominated, to the NFL where he’s going to dominate," Springs said. "Some people just come through life where they just were blessed by God to be special, and he’s one of them.”
