Young brings power, purpose to Colorado backfield

BOULDER — University of Colorado's running back Richard Young does not talk like someone chasing carries.

He talks like someone chasing standards.

"We all want to eat," Young said. "Everybody got to do their part. It is not just one man, it is all of us together."

That mindset has quickly defined Young's transition into Colorado's running back room, where competition is constant, accountability is expected and production will be earned daily.

Colorado running backs coach Johnnie Mack does not talk about his position group in terms of depth.

He talks about identity.

"We are going to be physical," Mack said. "We are going to run the football with intention. It is not about one guy, it is about a group that understands how to work and compete every single day."

That standard has quickly taken hold this spring, and few players embody it more than sophomore running back Richard Young.

Young arrives in Boulder with one of the most decorated recruiting profiles in the country. Rated the No. 1 running back in his class by ESPN and a consensus top national prospect, he brings a rare combination of size, power and track speed.

But his mindset is not rooted in rankings.

It is rooted in opportunity.

"Definitely a restart," Young said. "Coach gave me a chance to show what I can do. I am always thankful for every opportunity."

After spending two seasons at Alabama, where he gained experience in a championship caliber program, Young is now focused on carving out his role in Colorado's evolving offense.

Under Mack's guidance, Colorado's run game emphasizes versatility and physicality, demanding production from every back in the rotation.

Young believes his style translates.

"I feel like I definitely fit in," he said. "Not just me, but all of us. We all [have] that mentality."

That mentality shows up in how he defines his game.

"I am a physical back, power back, with speed," Young said. "I can catch. I am just trying to get better every day."

Mack's expectations align directly with that approach.

"We want backs that can do everything," Mack said. "Run with power, run with speed, protect, catch the football and compete.

If there is one constant in Colorado's running back room, it is competition.

Every rep matters. Every drill is contested.

"We try to find things where we can compete," Young said. "In the weight room, on the field, off the field. Our group is going to be amazing."

That internal edge has helped accelerate Young's development, even as he continues learning a new system.

"If I have a problem with anything, I can go to them," Young said. "They know the offense. I still ask for help."

Young's time at Alabama helped shape the player Colorado now sees.

"They taught me a lot," he said. "Just not to be soft. To be a man at the end of the day."

That edge, combined with his natural ability, gives the Buffs another high ceiling option in a deep and dynamic rotation.

Why Colorado

In the transfer portal, culture mattered.

And for Young, Colorado stood out immediately.

"The players, the coaches, the way they support you and want the best out of you," he said. "That is why I chose here."

From leadership to daily accountability, the environment matched what he was looking for.

"We have multiple leaders," Young said. "You see it from the first day."

Before arriving in Boulder, Young rushed for 1,755 yards in a single high school season, averaging nine yards per carry. A one cut runner with elite contact balance and acceleration, he has long been viewed as a player capable of making an immediate impact.

Now, he is focused on the process.

Not the past. Not the hype.

The work.

"We are all hungry," Young said. "We just keep stacking days, every single day."

And in Mack's room, that is the standard.

Because nothing is given.

Everything is earned.

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