Ex-MSU edge rusher Zion Young drafted years after tunnel altercation

Edge rusher Zion Young, who was one of the Michigan State players punished for his role in the postgame tunnel altercation at Michigan State in 2022, was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday night.

Young, who finished his career at the University of Missouri, was drafted 45th overall by the Baltimore Ravens.

Young, 22, played at Michigan State in 2022-23.

Missouri defensive end Zion Young (9) began his collegiate career at Michigan State.

His freshman year at Michigan State, following the 29-7 loss to No. 4 Michigan in Ann Arbor on Oct. 29, 2022, Young was among several Spartans who got into an altercation in the tunnel as both the teams made their way to their respective locker rooms. In video published by The News, Young appears to be seen kicking and punching a Michigan player.

He was one of eight Michigan State players initially suspended after the altercation, and he ended up missing the rest of the 2022 season and was charged with misdemeanor assault. Young took a plea and returned for the Spartans in 2023, playing in all 12 games, recording 1.5 sacks.

Amid the coaching turmoil at Michigan State, Young then transferred to Missouri and started all 26 games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In 2025, he had 6.5 sacks and earned first-team all-SEC honors. In December, Young was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and speeding.

Two picks after Young, another former Michigan State player from the Mel Tucker era, receiver Germie Bernard, was selected 47th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bernard, 22, a Las Vegas native, played at Michigan State in 2022, catching two touchdown passes, before he transferred to Washington for the 2023 season.